In the aftermath of the recent storm that battered Malta, arguably one of the very most violent in recent memory, much of the public conversation has understandably focused on damage, disruption and the heart wrenching scenes of destroyed livelihoods. Flooded roads, destroyed shopfronts and collapsed infrastructure comprehensibly dominated our social media timelines. But once the rain subsided and the winds eased, another equally powerful story started to emerge, and it deserves just as much attention.

Across Malta and Gozo, workers were out in full force, long before conditions were comfortable or safe. Public servants, emergency responders, and volunteers worked through the night and into the following days, clearing debris, restoring services and helping those who had been hit hardest. Many did so quietly, without cameras or applause, driven simply by a sense of duty. My gratitude for their sense of duty is limitless. It is thanks to the courage and dedication, of the brave men and women in our disciplined forces, that we can boast a safe country. Their vocation to be of service, shines brightest in such times.

However, the past days have been a shining example of solidarity across the country. It is true what they say, that when adversity hits, the true colours of a community shine through. They might not have been grand gestures worthy of TV coverage, but the acts of solidarity in our neighbourhoods show us that somewhere hidden beneath our busy schedules, there still are traces of a community, yearning to come out.

It may take a record-breaking, gale-force storm to ignite it, but it is there, nonetheless. In moments of extreme pressure, Malta once again showed its legendary humanity. These storms revealed not only weaknesses in infrastructure, but also the strength of our social fabric.

I wonder how many new acquaintances were made in the past days in the context of tragedy; how many new friendships were born. I wonder if we could learn to be a better-connected society, even when the winds are not blowing at a 100km per hour. These are the values that are worth protecting.

My thoughts turn to the families and businesses who suffered real losses, through no fault of their own over the past few days. In my view, Government has a responsibility to step in decisively, with practical support in order to provide assistance in an accessible, timely and fair manner.

At the same time, the storm forces us to reflect on the level of preparedness the country holds. We know how global warming and climate change are only making such extreme weather episodes all the more common. Preparedness cannot be reactive, rolled out once the damage is done, it must be constant, planned and integrated into how we design our infrastructure, manage our environment and coordinate our services.

Now that the worse of the storm appears to be behind us, it is time to learn from the bitter experience, regroup and rebuild. Most importantly, let's not wait for a storm to rediscover our humanity, and show the values we treasure, even when the sun shines