On Sunday, the Maltese once again justified their fame as philanthropists as St Joseph Home at Sta Venera was flooded with clothes and blankets to such an extent that the organisers are now turning down similar donations.
The Civil Protection Department (CPD) and the Centre for Missionary Animation (CAM) of the Missionary Society of St Paul will instead be more than happy to accept monetary donations and canned foodstuffs as relief aid for the thousands left homeless following the earthquake in Peru.
Donations were also made at the Fire Station in Xewkija and the Humanitarian Aid Unit in Marsa.
Marthese Brincat from CAM said the collection at St Joseph’s Home in Sta Venera began at 9am, with a group of volunteers from the CPD and CAM receiving donations – mostly of warm clothing and blankets – and kept on working till they ran out of boxes in which to pack the items. Volunteers sifted through heaps of clothes and blankets, sealed them, packed them and stowed them away in the containers that had been brought to the home’s grounds.
Ms Brincat said she was sure that donations received at St Joseph’s would fill three containers. Cash donations have also been satisfactory, as around Lm2,000 has been received at the home, excluding donations made direct to the CAM bank accounts.
Charles Debono from the CPD said donations would be accepted until next Friday.
The containers of donated items, estimated to number six, will be leaving Malta by the beginning of September and will take about a month to arrive at the port of Callao in Lima. Goods will be distributed by the MSSP’s regional Superior in Peru, Fr Victor Livori, MSSP, and CPD chaplain Fr Silvio Bezzina, MSSP.
On 15 August, the magnitude-8 earthquake rocked the towns of Ica and Pisco, south of the capital city Lima, for two minutes. More than 500 people were killed.
Those wishing to donate money can do so to HSBC account Terremot Peru – 027073477051, or BOV account Terremot Peru – 4001643334-6.
More information may be obtained by phoning the CPD on 2146-2610 or CAM on 2144-4499.