There is one virtue that makes us all proud: we Maltese are all united when it comes to helping those in need, and our support becomes more evident when different countries around the world are hit by natural catastrophes which cause deaths and heartaches.

The Indian Ocean tsunami disaster of five years ago, when tropical paradises became a mass grave for 226,000 people in 13 Asian and African countries, or Haiti’s devastating earthquake of a few days ago, which is seen as the worst calamity in history, or the recent floods that hit Albania very badly or last April’s earthquake in Aquila, still present vivid scenes of sadness and devastation.

“We have nothing!”

Brian Glanville’s book The Story of the World Cup recalls the sad effects of a country hit by earthquakes as he reviewed the 1962 competition in Chile. He wrote that the fact that long, thin, impoverished Chile should put it on at all was remarkable, as earthquakes had devastated the country at the time they were pleading their case. I quote: “Carlos Dittborn, the President of the Chilean Football Federation, coined the magnificent non sequitur ‘we must have the World Cup because we have nothing’ – they got it!”

‘We have nothing.’ That’s what the Chilean Federation’s president said then, almost 50 years ago, as Chile was making its World Cup bid. That’s what Haitians are saying now as they wait for the world’s immediate support. They have nothing.

We are all ready to help with donations, food, blankets, clothes, water, medicine and service where possible. It is a characteristic of all Maltese to rally around and assist those who are crying out loud for help. We dig into our pockets and donate.

We did it before and we will continue to do it, as that is our nature. That is how we have been brought up.

It is reported that, within a few hours, the personnel of the Civil Protection Department filled a good number of containers with items as hundreds of ordinary people, together with retailers and businesses, answered the call to help the victims in Haiti.

The European Union, the United Nations, the US and many other countries and governments are obviously helping too and, apart from impressive financial assistance, they have sent big relief contingents to the poverty-stricken country that is ill-equipped to face this disaster. Impressive but at the same time sad pictures of people who are heavily involved in rescue work with their bare hands are heart-wrenching scenes indeed.

Tears, prayers – and tangible assistance

Our generosity knows no limits, especially where people are suffering because of catastrophes, the latest being the Haiti tragedy. Our relief organisations such as the Civil Protection Department, SOS Malta, the Red Cross and others were joined by the St. John Ambulance, Caritas and the Salesians – who had lost most of their schools in the devastated areas and were in need of donations.

In Leogane, the worst hit area, situated 25 kilometres west of Port-au-Prince, survivors are still dazed, wandering in the streets with nowhere to go and nothing to eat. Many are literally dying of starvation, dehydration, a lack of medicine or other needs.

Suddenly tens of thousands of children have become orphans, parents have lost their kids and many are still buried under the rubble, while those who have lost their lives cannot be given a decent burial in the present chaotic circumstances. Then there are the thousands who are badly injured and cannot be treated, because the mobile hospitals cannot really cope, despite working around the clock. The problems are compounded due to the fact that hardened criminals have escaped from the prison which, like the presidential palace, was destroyed.

The generosity of the Maltese can clearly be seen at home, when fund-raising events are held in aid of different organisations such as the Community Chest Fund, the various children’s homes or in order to help with the running of Villa Azzopardi in Siggiewi.

Like the many other different missions, Fr Grima’s Gesu fil-Proxxmu is also well supported. And I cannot fail to mention the work done by many of our youngsters during the summer holidays, when they go and give their energies to hundreds living in deprived areas.

The Maltese have a great heart.