The last Maltese and Gozitan Red Cross volunteers returned to Malta yesterday, after being stationed in Sri Lanka for six months from when the tsunami disaster struck.

Paul Portelli, director general of Malta Red Cross, Etienne Micallef, secretary general of the Gozo branch of Red Cross, Marita Micallef and Stephanie Spiteri were the last among the many Maltese Red Cross volunteers who went up to help rebuild a village.

“It was an enriching experience. We saw the project become something tangible,” said Mr Portelli.

He explained that they had full support from the local authorities and the villagers were extremely grateful for what the Maltese did. “They welcomed us with open arms and helped us in any way they could.”

The Malta Red Cross recently became the first foreign entity to present the government of Sri Lanka with the keys to a newly built village following last December’s tsunami.

The village is called Little Malta Village and is situated in the disaster-hit area of Ranna, in the southern Hambantota district.

During the past six months, a total of 63 houses and a well-equipped clinic were built and made ready for delivery. The houses have all been given the name of a Maltese town or village and will serve as a model for future constructions.

Mr Portelli explained that the village was built away from the shoreline in case another tsunami should strike and are of a higher standard.

Prof. Lino Cutajar, president of Malta Red Cross, explained that the policy of the Malta Red Cross was to employ local villagers to rebuild their village and to directly supervise and finance the project. “In this way, we made sure that each cent donated by the Maltese was put to good use.”

The fishing community was also involved; giving them a further incentive to rebuild the structures needed while earning money.

“A new community was built – people who previously lived in different areas have come together and will live in Little Malta,” said Mr Micallef.

“Now the next step is to step back and give the villagers a chance to see what they really need.”

About 200 villagers attended the event on 10 July, along with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse.

The keys to Little Malta Village were handed over to the Prime Minister by Prof. Cutajar, accompanied by Paul Portelli and Etienne Micallef.

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by some of his ministers, thanked the Maltese people and government for their support throughout the tsunami crisis.

He pointed out that Malta Red Cross was one of the first organisations to deliver something tangible to the tsunami victims.

The Malta Red Cross is sponsoring the building of a children’s home in the southern tip of India, which was also devastated by the tsunami.

It collected a total of Lm190,000 from private donations and should receive about Lm130,000 from the government.