MEP Roberta Metsola on Thursday visited Maltese businesses destroyed in last weekend’s storm and promised to continue to do her utmost to help those affected get back on their feet.

“It is so moving to be here and to see thriving businesses, farms and waterpolo clubs reduced to rubble overnight. But the thing that struck me the most was the determination of those who lost everything to pick up and start again. There was no sense of hopelessness, just resolve to come back and to come back stronger. We will rebuild,” she said in St Paul’s Bay, one of the worst hit localities.

Watch: Before and after - how the storm swept businesses away

Dr Metsola said she had been in constant contact with the government and the highest levels of the European Commission to push for tangible European funds to help the rebuilding effort.

Europe had a role to play, and when disaster struck in one state it often brought out the best of the spirit of solidarity within the community of nations.

“We will help the government with efforts to secure tangible European solidarity and to ensure not only funding but that we use all the tools we have as an EU state to make sure we are better prepared next time.”

Dr Metsola underlined that while EU funds are being sought, the government could and should step in to help in the immediate aftermath of the storm.