The refugee section within the Emigrants’ Commission of the Church in Malta shall be passing on €2,000 to Selemawit Hagu Belay, widow of Ashih Tekleab Haile, who died on July 20, whilst saving another man from drowning. The sum is the difference between the money collected and the expenses involved in the transfer of Ashih Tekleab Haile’s body to Eritrea, which amounted to €4,690. The money collected so far by the Emigrants Commission amounts €6,673.

€3,623 of the sum collected was passed on to the Emigrants Commission by the Paradise Bay Hotel (€1,000 from the hotel directors, €1,558 from the Paradise Driving Club / Guests, €655 from hotel staff and €150 from Club 300). The sum also included €300 offered by the saved French man, before he left Malta.

The other €2,000 were given by the Good Causes Fund. €1,000 were donated by the Malta Tourism Authority and €50 through private donations.

The Emigrants Commission renewed its condolences to Selemawit Hagu Belay and expressed appreciation at the sympathy shown by the Government and the Maltese for the loss of Ashih. It also expressed appreciation at the contributions to the family through other entities.