Out of 151 Maltese citizens who were hit by the natural disaster in South-East Asia, a 30-year-old woman is still missing. The young woman was in Madras, India with a French friend during the devastation. The Foreign Affairs Ministry is struggling to find the missing woman, and is leading an operation in the countries hit by the tragedy.
Four women and a man are still being treated in various Thailand hospitals. They are expected to be dismissed from hospital in around two-weeks time.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old young woman returned to Malta on Thursday. She was in West Coast of Sri Lanka to visit her mother.
The Humanitarian Organisation the SOS Malta will be sending three doctors in Sri Lanka, while two doctors who are employed with the Health Ministry will be given a vacation leave of one month to work in Thailand.
Next Sunday two donation points will be organised, one in Maria Regina school in Blata l-Bajda and the other in the secondary school Ninu Cremona of Victoria, Gozo. The most requested items are blankets, tents, tinned food and medicine.
In addition, the Malta Red Cross Society has launched an appeal for help and is asking for donations to assist the victims of the disaster. Donations can be made in the following bank accounts: HSBC 03314 337 1051 and/or BOV 40010344392.
The Malta Red Cross Society can be reached either on 2122 2645 or via e-mail at redcross@redcross.org.mt
The Caritas Malta has also appealed for donations to help the victims of the Asian quake. The bank accounts are APS Bank - 20000246140, Bank of Valletta - 40013971199; HSBC - 089021513052. The offers could also be sent directly to Caritas Malta or given directly to Parish Priests.
The ministry is still inviting those people who need information about their relatives who were in Asia in the past days, to call on 79003879 or 79476382.
BBC news reported that new figures reveal at least 114,000 people have died. Officials in Indonesia say the number killed there is now nearly 80,000 and the death toll from the worst-hit area is set to rise still higher.
See also:
1 Maltese citizen still missing in SE Asia
By MaltaMedia News - Dec 30, 2004, 09:00 CET
See also:
8 Maltese citizens still missing in SE Asia
By MaltaMedia News - Dec 29, 2004, 16:00 CET
