An appeal for monetary donations has been launched by Caritas Malta to aid the people of Afghanistan and Haiti, who have fallen victim to the grim circumstances in their country.

This request has emanated from the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, and Caritas Malta in collaboration with Caritas International.

Many people in Afghanistan and Haiti have lost their homes and are now struggling to make ends meet with basic daily necessities.

In Afghanistan, thousands of people are trying to flee after the Taliban regained control of the country.

It is predicted that about half a million Afghans, including women and children, will flee by the end of the year.

On August 14, Haiti was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that left about 2,200 one person dead and more than 12,000 injured. With 130,000 homes destroyed while 24,400 people were transferred to other places of refuge.

It is estimated that about 650,000 people need humanitarian assistance.

Pope Francis, a few days ago, called for dialogue and peace in Afghanistan, and called for solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi and Bishop Anton Teuma join the Pope and call on Maltese Christians to pray for the Afghan and Haitian people.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a check payable to the Caritas Malta Foundation - Emergency Aid Fund, addressed to: Caritas Community Center, Emergency Aid Commission, Mountbatten Street, Hamrun, HMR 1577.

Donations can be made in person at the Caritas Community Center, Mountbatten Street, Hamrun, or also given to parish priests in the parishes to forward them to Caritas Malta.

Donations of money may also be deposited in the following bank accounts:

HSBC MT22MMEB44897000000089021513051

BOV MT78VALL22013000000040023270071

APS MT31APSB77046000489010489011015

For more information on this initiative, call 22199000