Maltese businesses have been asked to donate food and medical supplies in aid of the Libyan people.
This comes a day after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi called on the EU to start coordinating aid during this “delicate and sensitive” phase of the Libya struggle, pledging Malta’s help in handling logistics.
The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise – GRTU is coordinating the local efforts and yesterday called for donations of “accident and emergency” items.
These include pharmaceuticals, antibiotic preparations in all forms, bandages, IV fluids, analgesics and pain management medications, orthopaedic supplies, splints, sutures and any other medications and medical consumables that are “consonant with injuries normally seen in a war zone”. Cash donations are also being accepted, as well as canned food, sanitary pads, nappies and milk.
The GRTU is preparing to gather the donations at a central location in Malta to deliver them to Libya “as soon as the situation allows it”.
“We are appealing to Malta’s traditional generosity at this time. Libya is not just another country. It is a country we Maltese have known and worked in for many years. By and large, our workers and businesses in Libya have contributed to Malta’s current standard of living.”
It added that many Maltese had Libyan friends and associates, and there were ties of friendship that went beyond the political rhetoric of the past.
“Libya is one of our closest neighbours and it’s our Christian duty to help them in this hour of need,” the GRTU said.
It has set up three telephone lines namely 2123 2881, 7904 9409 and 9949 9401 as well as an e-mail address: libyacrisis@grtu.net.
SOS Malta too has called on the Maltese to help out by sponsoring families to “stay clean”. With a donation of €20, families will be given a hygiene kit which includes sanitary supplies, towel, comb, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and underwear.
Donations can be made directly to the following bank accounts: APS 20000245111, HSBC 006070932050 and BOV 40013974950 or online through www.sosmalta.org/donate_now. Donations can also be sent to SOS Malta, 10, Triq il-Ward, Sta Venera, SVR 1640.
Meanwhile, the UN’s refugee agency is focusing its efforts on the borders of Libya in Egypt and Tunisia, helping displaced people and refugees. More than 100,000 people have already crossed the Libyan border with these two countries.
The UNHCR said its first flight carrying humanitarian supplies and tents for emergency shelter landed in Tunisia on Saturday.
“Our teams on the ground are reporting unprecedented support being offered by local people who are making their way to the borders of both countries to help.”
The Maltese branch of UNHCR is also preparing a plan of action for the influx of refugees that Malta is expecting to receive in the coming weeks.
“We do not yet know the scale of the crisis we will be facing. But we do know there are very large numbers of people, frightened families, fleeing their homes with few possessions. All they want is to get somewhere safe.”
The UNHCR also appealed for donations, which can be sent through www.unhcr.org/emergency/libya/global_landing.html.
Meanwhile, the Maltese Red Cross society is busy helping out with the evacuations of foreign workers from Libya to Malta. Thousands of foreign workers fleeing Libya have already passed through the island, where they were offered immediate first aid after long journeys by sea and air.
The Red Cross said it was on a drive to attract volunteers to help in various aspects of its operations.