Collection of supplies for Lebanon

The Civil Protection Department is making arrangements for the collection of specific items to be shipped to Lebanon by the middle of next week.

CPD director Peter Cordina said the department was informed by the EU Commission that the situation in Lebanon was deteriorating and that help was badly needed.

Malta was one of the first European countries to respond to these needs, he said, adding that Europe was gearing up to offer assistance.

The request is for blankets, water, tinned foodstuffs and medical (non-prescription) supplies. Money was not being accepted.

Arrangements are being made for the public to deposit donations at local councils on Monday, or at the CPD's humanitarian aid unit in Marsa between today and Wednesday.

The supplies would then be transported by a local shipping company to Limassol, in Cyprus, where they would be taken to Lebanon by the French and Italian navy.

Mr Cordina has no set targets, but said that for the tsunami appeal, the aim was to send two containers and the response was so great that 56 were filled.

For more information, contact the CPD on 2146 2610.