A total of 60 voluntary organisations will receive almost €330,000 in financial assistance following the damage caused by Storm Harry, which hit the Maltese islands earlier this year, a government statement said.

The announcement was made by Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia during visits to the Sliema Aquatic Sports Club and RMJ Horse Rescue, two organisations that were severely impacted by the storm.

Both organisations operate close to the coast, where the storm struck hardest, while RMJ Horse Rescue also suffered a significant financial impact on its operations, the statement said.

It said that the consequences of Storm Harry varied across voluntary organisations, with many forced to halt or drastically reduce their activities.

Several organisations lost essential equipment, sustained damage to the premises from which they operate, and had to reschedule services and initiatives that had already been planned.

As a result, several communities temporarily found themselves without the regular support they rely on, while volunteers were faced with the additional burden of restoring their organisations' operations and stability, it said.

The financial assistance process began with a formal registration of damages by voluntary organisations, following a call issued by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).

The call allowed organisations that suffered damage or operational disruption due to Storm Harry, including damage to buildings, equipment, project sites, volunteer resources, or community programmes, to declare their losses and request assistance.

Funding is being allocated according to clear and transparent parameters, the statement said.

Organisations requesting up to €10,000 will receive 100% of the amount requested, those requesting between €10,001 and €50,000 will receive up to 80%, while requests exceeding €50,000 will receive up to 60% of the amount requested.

The statement said that in all cases, the maximum grant per organisation is capped at €30,000.

In addition, organisations may only benefit from one source of public funding linked to the storm, to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of available resources, the statement said.

"Storm Harry did not only hit our infrastructure but also struck the heart of many voluntary organisations that give their time and energy every day to make a difference in the lives of Maltese people," Minister Farrugia said.

However, Farrugia said that what was seen in recent weeks was "deeply inspiring."

"Despite the damage and the difficulties, these organisations did not stop. They continued to serve, remained present and showed that volunteering in Malta is not simply an act of charity but a way of life and a commitment towards each other as a community," Farrugia said.

She added that the government recognises the crucial role played by the voluntary sector, which is why direct funding is being allocated to help the 60 organisations recover as efficiently and quickly as possible.

"This is not only financial support but also a clear message from government that we believe in you, we appreciate the work you do, and we want to stand beside you at every step of the journey," Farrugia said.

Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) CEO Mauro Pace Parascandalo said that the council continues to listen to the needs of voluntary organisations, particularly when they face such situations, which require support to ensure that the sector does not suffer long-term consequences.

To be eligible for the scheme, voluntary organisations must be registered and compliant with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.