There were 278 people, including 102 humanitarian aid workers who last year lost their life in instances of political instability, wars and natural disasters, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said in an appeal for better safeguards for such workers.

In a message to commemorate World Humanitarian Day, Dr Borg said that in such days one had to remember the needs of many poor countries which were on the brink of political and humanitarian crises.

He appealed to big countries and international communities not to keep for providing such priceless assistance.

The Maltese government, he said, was always willing to share its limited resources with countries in need.

Through its Humanitarian Development Assistance Fund, this year it helped 16 charitable organisations with a €250,000 donation to carry out projects in these countries.