A volunteer website called Exército do Sofá (The Sofa Army) helps people across Portugal get support during storms and severe weather. It is particularly useful for older people, those who are unwell and anyone living alone who may need a helping hand.
Its slogan says it all: “You’re on the sofa. Your neighbour needs help.” The platform was created by entrepreneur Ricardo Paiagua, who previously launched a similar initiative, Cama Solidária, during the Covid pandemic and Tempestade SOS in January, following Storm Kristin.
The idea is simple. Anyone can submit a request for help: picking up bread or groceries, going to the pharmacy, walking a dog, helping with a technical problem or simply keeping someone company. Volunteers sign up using their Google accounts, choose a search radius of between 200 metres and 2 kilometres, and see requests from people living nearby. Only the volunteer who accepts a task receives the person’s address and phone number; locations on the public map are approximate. Help should be provided on foot, and only when it is safe to go outside.
The website also allows users to report fallen trees, flooded streets and downed cables. The service is free, operates across Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, and is automatically activated whenever IPMA issues an orange or red weather warning. The interface is available in Portuguese only.
The website is not a substitute for emergency services. If you are dealing with a serious situation, call:
— 112 — general emergency number;
— 808 24 24 24 — SNS 24, the health advice line;
— 144 — Linha de Emergência Social, the social emergency helpline.