Humanitarian organisation Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) on Tuesday donated 115 chocolate Easter eggs to asylum seekers currently residing in Malta.

“This year, once again, the world is celebrating a different Easter from others. The festivity is marked not only by the suffering of the Ukrainian population but also by the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria, as well as the increased influx of migration, which has resulted in hundreds of lives being lost at sea in the past few months: children, women and men who have risked everything to flee conflict and persecution, in search of safety,” MOAS said in its statement.

MOAS is an international humanitarian organisation founded in 2013 in response to the Mediterranean maritime migration phenomenon and is now dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and services to the most vulnerable people around the world.

As Easter approaches, MOAS said that it remains committed to its mission of bringing help and assistance to the most vulnerable people in any possible way.

“In addition to our ongoing operations in Ukraine, Yemen, Somalia, and Bangladesh, we are also assisting asylum seekers residing in Malta, who find themselves away from their loved ones and are experiencing difficult times,” the NGO said.

MOAS said that it was able to donate 115 chocolate Easter eggs with surprise gifts to families, unaccompanied minors and adults residing in reception centres in coordination with AWAS - the Agency for the Welfare of the Asylum Seekers - Peace Lab and Osanna Pia Home.

The donation has been made possible thanks to the donors' invaluable support, as well as the courier company Fastdrop together with a fantastic team of volunteers who helped in the distribution, the organisation said.

Regina Catrambone, Co-founder and Director of MOAS, stated: “This Easter, we feel the need to renew resilience and send a message of hope to vulnerable people who are living in difficult situations and experience feelings of sadness and loneliness. Our donation is just a little gesture to show solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. Our hope is to provide a moment of shared joy and let them know that they are cared for and supported. My sincere thanks go out to all the donors and supporters who made this happen. Happy Easter to all.”