On behalf of the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, Caritas Malta, is calling for monetary donations in favour of the people of Morocco and Libya who were hit by a strong earthquake and severe flooding respectively. The fundraising is being carried out in collaboration with Caritas Internationalis, and with the direct help of Mgr Sandro Overend Rigillo OFM, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Benghazi in Libya.
This is one of the initiatives taken by the Church in Malta to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Morocco and Libya.
Central Morocco was struck by an earthquake on 8 September at 11:11pm. This was the strongest earthquake to hit the country since 1900. The earthquake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and killed more than 3,000 people, apart from causing various damage in the south of the country.
On 11 September, the coastal town of Derna in Libya was struck by severe flooding following the collapse of two dams caused by heavy rain. 11,300 people have died and the search and rescue efforts are still ongoing. 10,000 people are reported missing in this city. The floods have wiped out whole families and killed around 170 people in other parts of the country.
Caritas Malta is calling for donations in order to provide much-needed assistance in these countries. Donations may be made to the following bank accounts:
HSBC: MT22MMEB44897000000089021513051
BOV: MT78VALL22013000000040023270071
APS: MT31APSB7704600089010489011015
Anyone wishing to use the internet banking service of these banks, may also make use of the ‘Transfer to Third Party’ facility. Users of the BOV Mobile App may make a donation through the ‘Pay a Bill’ function, with ‘Morocco and Libya’ as the description.
Cheque donations are also being accepted as long as the cheques are for no less than €20.01 (the minimum accepted by the banks), payable to Fondazzjoni Caritas Malta – Emergency Aid Fund, and sent to: Caritas Community Centre, Emergency Aid Commission, Mountbatten Street, Ħamrun ĦMR 1577. Donations may also be left at the Caritas Community Centre in Mountbatten Street, Ħamrun or given to parish priests who will then pass them on to Caritas Malta.
For more information on how to support Morocco and Libya, kindly call 22199000.