A consignment of humanitarian aid will be sent to war-stricken Lebanon from Malta, the director of the Civil Protection Department (CPD) said yesterday.

Peter Cordina said the CPD will be accepting donations of foodstuffs, water, blankets, non prescription medicines, bandages and first aid products. Money donations will not be accepted, he said.

To facilitate the process, contributions can be sent to the local councils as of Monday. Since not all local councils will be accepting donations, Mr Cordina said the public should contact their local council beforehand.

Donations will also be accepted at the new CPD Humanitarian Centre in Marsa, between the Delicata and Marsovin wineries, on a 24 hour basis, he added.

The humanitarian aid will leave Malta on Friday and it will be shipped to the Cypriot port of Limassol and then sent to Lebanon.