37 tons of provisions and counting

The Civil Protection Department had collected 37 tons worth of provisions for the victims of the Haitian earthquake by yesterday.

Some eight tons of water, six tons of blankets, 10 tons of food and 13 tons of clothing were collected over the weekend.

CPD deputy director Patrick Murgo said: "We are still waiting for instructions to establish where the collected provisions will be sent to. We have informed the EU about what we have collected."

He added that the CPD was still receiving provisions and would keep doing so until the whole collection was shipped out at the end of this week. Anyone wishing to make a donation was welcome to do so.

Currently, aid workers are experiencing problems in Haiti due to armed gangs attacking them in an attempt to steal provisions.

The January 12 earthquake registered 7.0 on the Richter scale and is believed to have killed between 50,000 and 200,000. A further 250,000 are in need of urgent medical attention and up to three million people have been affected.

How you can help

SOS Malta: APS 2000 0245 111; HSBC 0060 7093 2050; BOV a/c 400 1397 4950. Donations can also be sent to SOS Malta, 9, Camilleri Court, Testaferrata Street, Ta' Xbiex XBX 1407 or made online at www.sosmalta.org/donate_now.

Malta Red Cross Society: BOV 102 0637 4012. Donations can be made directly at the Red Cross offices at 104, Saint Ursula Street, Valletta, or at the Gozo Branch, Mġarr Road, Xewkija (entrance opposite the post office).

Civil Protection Department: BOV 400 1875 8443 or HSBC 0780 0239 1050.

Caritas Malta: Cheque payable to Caritas Haiti Fund, to Caritas Malta, 5 Lion Street, Floriana FRN 1514, or transfer funds electronically to one of the following bank accounts: APS 200 0088 7495, BOV 400 1876 1294 or HSBC 0890 2151 3051.

Salesians: Cheque payable to Fr Eric Cachia, Salesian Oratory, 20, Karm Galea Street, Sliema, or transferred electronically to the Salesians' Emergency Haiti account at HSBC 0851 1199 5050.