Volunteers from the Gozo Branch have initiated and took an important role in the first international humanitarian project for the Malta Red Cross.

Seven volunteers from the Gozo Branch and six volunteers from Malta have been going in turns to Sri Lanka from the start of the project to supervise the development of the project.

The facts - The Tsunami

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale struck the area off the western coast of northern Sumatra, triggering massive tidal waves, or tsunamis, that inundated coastal areas in countries all around the Indian Ocean rim - from Indonesia to Somalia. At least 226,000 people are presumed to have died in the disaster.

Having launched a preliminary appeal on the day of the disaster, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies revised its appeal on 6 May to include a plan of action for the emergency and recovery phase through 2006 totaling CHF 590 million (USD 497 million or € 409 million). More than 1,000,000 people have received assistance from the Federation and its members in the first six months of operations.

In Brief:

• Over 1,000,000 people affected by the tsunami disaster in ten countries have received assistance coordinated by the Federation, covering relief distributions, shelter, preventative/curative health care, water and sanitation, and psychological support.

• The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the affected countries and internationally, has mobilized 22,000 volunteers and hundreds of international staff from over 40 national societies.

• The Federation has coordinated 324 relief flights and sea consignments, the deployment of 18 emergency response units, 3 field assessment and coordination teams, and 2 recovery assessment teams to the disaster affected countries.

Little Malta Village - Project highlights

In Brief:

January 2005.

Project started on 7th January 2005 when a three person disaster response team namely Etienne Micallef, Marvic Attard and John Portelli departed to Sri Lanka The initial team was self supporting/self sufficient. In fact 350 Kg of equipment was carried so as to lay down the basis for the Malta Red Cross humanitarian mission.

13 th January 2005.

Assessment ready, after visiting several areas of Sri Lanka. It was decided to establish our selves in Hambantota - the southern tip of Sri Lanka. It was decided to do a construction project. 65 houses were to be build. Land for the first house was handed over by district office.

15 th January 2005.

Foundation stone for the first house was laid down in the town of Rekewwa limits of Ranna.

31 st January 2005.

Departure day for John and Marvic. First house which was named Gozo is practically ready.

02 nd February 2005.

George Grima arrived.

07 th February 2005.

Departure Day for Etienne Micallef and arrival Day for Joe Pierre Portelli. In the month of February, the foundations for the first 10 houses was done after two large areas of land were cleared. Furniture for the first house was bought.

March 2005.

Official opening of the first house Gozo. Mary Rose Sultana and Helen Callejja replaced the previous two volunteers. Other 10 houses were started

April 2005.

Natal Falzon and Goedfrey Gambin replaced the previous group. Emphasis was placed to speed up the work. Other houses started. Some of the houses are ready rxcept for the roof.

May 2005.

Joe Camilleri and Edward Grupetta replaced the previous two volunteers. With the exception of 3 houses all houses were at various stages of completion. In the last week of May work started on the clinic-the later to bear the name as Friendship clinic.

June 2005.

Etienne Micallef and Marita Micallef replaced Edward and Joe. Opening ceremony date was fixed for the 10th July. All the houses and the clinic were finished, white washed and cleaned. Doors and windows were fixed.

July 2005.

Paul Protelli and Stephanie Scibberas joined the previous team. Furniture was bought for all the houses. Opening ceremony was done on the 10th July 2005 at 10.00am Left Sri Lanka on the 18th July 2005 after doing finishing touches for the project.

Little Malta Village - The future

Phase one of the project is practically finished. Now the Red Cross plans to leave some time before returning to Sri Lanka again to asses the needs of the newly established community at Little Malta Village. After assessment, other needs of the village will be catered for, Time needs to pass so as the villagers themselves can identify their needs. Possible projects include-building a small school and recreational facilities.

In Brief Little Malta Village consists of:

• One large clinic equipped with the necessary equipment and educational hall.
• 62 houses (not 65 due to land being used for a larger clinic then originally planned. All houses were given furniture.
• Project provided shelter for 250 people.
• A baby girl was born in Little Malta village in April.
• One of the perspective beneficiaries died in July due to a lung infection acquired due to the tsunami.
• Sri Lanka prime minister confirmed that this was the first tangible building project in Sri Lanka.