Tents for quake victims as aid campaign is launched

The Civil Protection Department yesterday launched a campaign in aid of China's earthquake victims.

It will start by sending 100 tents to provide shelter for over 500 people who lost their homes in the disaster.

Over 60,000 people are believed to have died as a result of the May 12 quake and its countless aftershocks in the Sichuan province, that left some 358,816 injured, 23,775 still missing and more than 5.4 million people homeless.

CPD director Peter Cordina explained that, after being informed that the victims were in need of tents, the department contacted local importers who agreed to give them the tents at discounted prices.

The tents, varying in size, are expected to leave Malta on Thursday but specific details will be given at a future date. The cargo is expected to be sent to Rome with the help of Alitalia and Air Malta, from where the Chinese authorities will take it where needed.

Mr Cordina said that since the earthquake, the CPD has been in contact with the Chinese embassy to determine how best to help the victims. The department was told that the victims were in dire need of tents as China was running out of them. The CPD will remain in contact with Chinese representatives to determine what else may be needed.

Through this campaign the department is now calling on the Maltese and Gozitans to donate money to purchase more tents as well as any other items that the Chinese might need. He also called on large companies and banks to make their contribution.

"Now is the time for us to help. There are people out there suffering and dying," Mr Cordina said as he urged people to dig into their pockets because "everybody's contribution is important, no matter how small".

He also stressed that cash donations would not be accepted by individual CPD officers, however bank transfers and cheques, as well as the donation of tents, were welcome.

Asked why the CPD did not offer assistance to victims of Myanmar's May 2 cyclone - that resulted in 134,000 people dead or missing and some 2.4 million left destitute - he explained that it was willing to help but first had to have an indication of what type of help was required.

As the world looked on at the Myanmar cyclone Nargis and the Chinese earthquake, it has compared the manner in which these two natural disasters have been handled. While China's response has been praised, Myanmar's resistance to aid has sparked international outrage. Myanmar's military government had barred almost all foreign experts experienced in managing humanitarian crises, saying it would handle relief efforts on its own. However, on Friday, in an apparent breakthrough to bolster the international aid effort, junta leader Senior General Than Shwe assured UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that Myanmar would allow in aid experts.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to help victims of China's earthquake can transfer money to the Civil Protection Humanitarian Aid Accounts: BOV account 4001 1546 461 or HSBC account 0780 0239 1050. Cheques may be addressed to the Civil Protection Humanitarian Aid Accounts.

Questions are to be referred to Charles Debono on 9982 0772.