Seventy volunteers from the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps are currently deployed on a daily basis in the areas affected by the violent earthquake that struck central Italy at 3.36 am on 24 August, and that has left 293 dead and more than 2,000 homeless.
The Order of Malta’s volunteers are providing support – by providing first aid, offering psychological assistance and distributing basic needs – to the many affected by the devastating quake. The team includes rescuers, doctors – 2 of whom are on duty for helicopter rescue – nurses and psychologists. The Order of Malta volunteers are in charge of the Sports Stadium in Amatrice, where up to 150 people whose houses were destroyed in the earthquake can take shelter. The Sports Stadium is also where a great amount of aid supplies are stored.
Distribution of medicines and health assistance is also offered to the population living in the isolated surrounding communities.
The Assessment and Quick Reaction Unit of the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps arrived early on Wednesday morning, just a few hours after the quake, in the area affected. In cooperation with the Italian Civil Protection, it immediately assessed areas suitable for tent cities. At the same time, the medical team worked late into the night in an emergency first-aid post set up in the sports field where various medevac (medical evacuation) transportations to hospitals outside the region were carried out by helicopter. A canine unit was also deployed by the Italian Relief Corps soon after the quake in the Amatrice centre- now razed to the ground- in order to rescue more people.
Volunteers of the Order of Malta are also assisting the population in Norcia, Umbria, affected by the earthquake.
Meeting Mauro Casinghini, National Director of the Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta, the Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed his gratitude for the quick response provided by the Order of Malta: “I would like to thank all the volunteers for all they are doing”. The Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Albrecht Boeselager, payed a visit to Amatrice today to meet and personally thank the many volunteers on duty in the devastated town.
For Donations in Italy:
Payable to: Fondazione Corpo Italiano di Soccorso Dell’Ordine di Malta
Coordinate bancarie:
IBAN: IT 50 E 02008 05074 000103744409
Swift code: UNCRITMM
For US Donations:
Order of Malta Global Fund for Forgotten People
CITIBANK, New York
Account Number: 4972691107
Citibank ABA/ Routing Number: 021000089
Swift Code: CITI US 33
Please use reference: Italian Earthquake 2016. The Global Fund for Forgotten People has 501(c)(3) status in the US.
For UK Donations:
Order of Malta Global Fund for Forgotten People
Hoare & Co, London
Bank Sort code: 15-99-00
Account Number: 27771340
IBAN: GB48 HOAB 1599 0027 7713 40
Please use reference: Italian Earthquake 2016. The Global Fund for Forgotten People is registered in England and Wales as charity number (1148427)
