No need for Malta Red Cross to assist victims

The Malta Red Cross will not be collecting goods for victims of the earthquake in L'Aquila after their Italian counterparts turned down their assistance in order to avoid waste of resources.

The Malta Red Cross said yesterday that ever since the powerful earthquake hit central Italy on April 6, it had been in regular contact with its Italian counterpart offering support in the form of material goods and rescue teams.

"Notwithstanding this offer, the Italian Red Cross has specifically refused any kind of assistance and the Italian government preferred to cope with the needs from internal national resources," the Malta Red Cross said. This was because the immediate needs - shelter, food, medical care and psychological support - were being met by Italian resources and, to avoid duplication or waste of valuable resources, the Italian Red Cross requested that no material contributions of any kind be sent.

The Malta Red Cross will thus not be holding any collections or participating in any collection activities held locally.