The Maltese are once again being called upon to show their generosity and make donations to help alleviate the desperate situation developing in Libya, particularly in volatile Tripoli.
Over the weekend the Civil Protection Department will receive water, tinned food, powdered baby milk, flour and sugar at its Humanitarian Aid Section at Shipwright Wharf, Marsa. The warehouse will be open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Some months ago Malta was instrumental in supplying aid to Misurata, the worst hit city of the crisis. The CPD sent out €40,000 worth of water and medical supplies – which were both in severe shortage at the shelled hospital.
“The Libyan population is suffering greatly as provisions have decreased drastically because of the situation. Being so close to Libya we should give our contribution as a Christian country and ensure their survivability,” CPD director Patrick Murgo said.
Clothes are not required and medical supplies are being handled by other international organisations, including the World Health Organisation and the Malta-based Igo-Aid.
“But people who are on holiday or cannot donate anything manually can send us money through one of the many bank accounts. All kinds of donations are very welcome,” he added.
Money can be donated on the following accounts: HSBC 0780 0239 1050, Bank of Valletta 4001 8758 443, Lombard Bank 0144 0800 001, APS Bank 2000 0889 551 and Banif Bank 0008 3224 181.
Meanwhile, the Igo-Aid Foundation is planning to send personnel and supplies to Tripoli between today and tomorrow.
The NGO was set up in February in Malta by a number of Libyan and Maltese volunteers, mostly businessmen, and has been shipping humanitarian aid to a number of points in Libya throughout the crisis.
A spokesman for the foundation yesterday said it had bought every oxygen cylinder it could lay its hands on in Malta, given the oxygen shortage in Tripoli hospitals.
It also bought a range of other medical supplies to be loaded on its Insitsar ship, which will additionally take a team of doctors and other medical personnel.
Pro-life group Gift of Life too has encouraged the Maltese people to give generously to the people of Libya.
Malta remained relatively neutral throughout the conflict but proudly took on a role as a humanitarian hub. Malta recently helped take more than 600 Libyans stranded in Tunisia back to their homes in Misurata and Benghazi, on the rebel council’s request.
Another ship, Triva I, was sent to Tripoli on Friday in an attempt to evacuate foreign workers remaining in the capital city, including several Maltese. However, it had to turn back after it came under fire.
Remaining on the open sea for some days, it attempted to enter Tripoli port again yesterday but opted not to berth because of safety considerations. It is now on its way back to relieve its crew and may return at a later stage.