Emergency funds released to help with relief efforts

Cologne. Sixty-nine volunteer members of the Order of Malta’s Italian relief Corps are helping to provide medical care to people who lost everything during the devastating earthquake in the Italian town of Amatrice. Malteser International has provided an initial 50,000 euros of emergency funds to help with relief efforts. “Like in many other countries, the Order of Malta’s Italian relief service operates in extremely close cooperation with local civil protection authorities, and works to the highest professional standards,” said Ingo Radtke, Malteser International Secretary General. “At the moment, our colleagues in Italy do not require the assistance of a Malteser International emergency team. However, I am in daily contact with Mauro Casinghini, the head of the operation, and we would be ready to provide assistance immediately if it were to be called for.”

Six days after the earthquake, hopes of finding survivors amongst the rubble have faded almost completely, while a total of 291 are confirmed to have lost their lives. Order of Malta volunteers are providing support to people who lost their homes during the quake at a local sports hall, as well as distributing food and water to survivors. The team includes trained medical personnel.