As the summer holidays near their end, we note with sadness that violence takes no break. Ironic as it may sound, humanity can be harsher and more ruthless than the unexpected outbursts of Mother Nature herself.

The past week was dominated by the earthquake in the mountainous regions of central Italy, with fatalities – as I write – shooting up to over 267 victims, many of whom were buried alive as they slept.  Amid the mountains of rubble left by the 6.2-magnitude earthquake, rescue workers, fire-fighters, medical teams and volunteers continue their grim search.

 

The earthquake hitting Italy

Rescue workers digging through rubble in quake-ravaged towns and villages keep finding more bodies with the resultant high death toll. But they also found rare moments of joy when their intensive, round-the-clock efforts freed survivors trapped for more than a day under tons of rock and metal debris. Most of the victims – 184 – were found in Amatrice, a picturesque medieval town of around 2,000 residents – a town which is no more!

Thousands went to help from all over Italy and across Europe. According to the Italian civil protection agency, more than half the 5,400 people who have joined the mammoth rescue effort are volunteers including a team of Maltese rescuers. In such catastrophic events humanity can witness the best expression of human solidarity, where the highest efforts of teamwork rally in a race against time to remedy in the best way possible what seismic forces can inflict.

 

Mass murders in Syria

In shocking contrast however, a completely opposite facet of humanity spreads havoc in towns, villages, hospitals and schools around Syria, with huge death tolls every day.  Far above all political or territorial considerations, it is indeed heart-breaking to follow what the media reports about the many hundreds of innocent victims butchered by dictators' or guerrilla warfare.

Territorial expansion has become so blindfolded and power-hungry that human life seems worthless as the ruthless frenzy of regional and international terrorism takes over. Atrocious bombings have become the norm with the rest of mankind living in a trance, almost helpless in its efforts to bring international powers back to their senses.

Bob Dylan's lyrics sound more appealing than ever: "How many times must the cannon balls fly before they're forever banned? And how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free?" The final lines are even more telling: "How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see?"

Indeed, mankind is seeing all this and witnessing the sharp contrast between the kindness of man providing help to the vulnerable in Italy and the heinous egoism of those who render others vulnerable in Syria and other parts of the world.

 

Climate change and accidents

This same human race is witnessing the worst effects of climate change worldwide. Notwithstanding all the loudly promoted international conventions and protocols about the indispensable protection of the eco-system for mankind's own benefit, it all shows that man remains reckless in the way he treats the environment. Defying nature has its toll.

Climate change is already bringing about the most unfavourable effects, with abrupt and unusual seasonal changes. We have already experienced a rainless winter with summer bringing downpours when least expected, with disastrous effects on agriculture and other industries. 

Negligence and carelessness have also caused too many accidents on our shores. Adventurous as one may be, no one is allowed to put their own and other's life at risk. Timely warnings and proactive services by the Government and dedicated NGOs seem to be insufficient for some people who stubbornly defy whatever stands in their way. Most definitely, law enforcement needs to be more vigorous and assertive.

 

Saving Dwejra

Whilst mentioning natural elements and their causes and remedies, one can never disregard the deep concerns regarding the threats to the Azure window at Dwejra.  It is by far the most popular natural scenic heritage in Gozo and a UNESCO world heritage site.  Alarms have been ringing for quite some years now, and urgent action is indispensable. Whilst acknowledging the huge efforts required to combat further decay, one cannot but recognise the immense loss any inaction can cause to this natural jewel.

Visitors are expected to heed the warnings spelled out along the pathways leading to the site, hence avoiding further risks to their own lives and to the window itself. I am aware of the concerns expressed by the San Lawrenz Local Council on this issue and will support all further attempts to save this natural treasure.

 

First dementia-friendly community

On a more immediate level, the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing is working closely with the San Lawrenz Council to make the village the first ever dementia-friendly community on our islands. Our task is a further step in the National Strategy for Dementia launched last year. The project itself has already been lauded by international bodies on dementia – a condition that is already affecting around 6,000 elderly locally. Projections unfortunately indicate that figures are likely to double within a decade or so.

For almost two years, my Secretariat has carried out a national awareness campaign, providing the 1771 helpline around the clock and promoting further training and advanced studies for carers and experts. Despite all this and infrastructural work in state homes for the elderly for residents suffering from dementia – including night and respite shelters, we are determined to move ahead with having the country's first dementia-friendly community. Appropriate signage will eventually facilitate matters, together with further informative and specific training for residents – including schoolchildren and relatives – to cater for those with this condition.

While thanking the mayor and councillors of San Lawrenz for their full cooperation, I would also like to express my appreciation to all experts and workers within my Parliamentary Secretariat for their work in realising such an important and useful project – a first for Malta and Gozo.