Six NGOs which complement the work of the Civil Protection Department are to be given a grant of €25,000 by the government.

The Red Cross will now receive €15,000, while the Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit, St John Rescue Core, and the Emergency Response & Rescue Core will each receive €2,500, while St John Ambulance will get €1,500 and the Malta Amateur Radio League €1,000.

In the past, the Red Cross was the only one which received financial help: €9,000 originally, later rising to €14,000.

Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia said that next year the grant would increase to €35,000.

He also announced that the Civil Protection Department would be investing in drones to help it assess situations like fires or major incidents.

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