Hurricane Harvey: Standing in Solidarity with Affected People
Cologne/Houston – In the wake of devastating flooding after Hurricane Harvey, disaster relief experts from Malteser International have arrived in the U.S. State of Texas to support the American associations of the Order of Malta in providing aid on the ground. Members of the Order of Malta are already providing first response to affected people in an honorary capacity, and will join Malteser International to coordinate first steps for rapid aid in devastated areas. Malteser International’s Secretary General, Ingo Radtke, will also travel to the United States in the coming days. “In addition to our aid measures for disaster management and plans for rehabilitation, our commitment to help is also a gesture of solidarity”, said Radtke, who is in constant touch with the American associations of the Order of Malta.
The experts will work in close co-operation with the American associations of the Order and other local organisations to ensure that the most vulnerable social groups are supported. According to the professionals, aid measures will benefit old and sick people, families with young children, and undocumented immigrants long after the media attention in the state. “Millions have been affected, over 100,000 homes have been destroyed. Many people in Houston have been rendered homeless, and have lost all their possessions”, said Radtke. “Because these people have been left with nothing, there is an urgent need to support them in rebuilding their lives. The rehabilitation of the region will, without doubt, take a number of years.” Malteser International has made 50,000 euros available as an initial funding for such aid programs.
We are urgently calling for donations to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey. Every contribution makes a difference to someone’s life.
Alternatively, you may wish to do a telegraphic transfer via the following:
Account number: 20 20 270
IBAN: DE74 3706 0193 0002 0202 70
BIC: GENODED1PAX
Pax Bank Cologne
Reference: “Hurricane Harvey in the USA”
About Malteser International:
Malteser International is the humanitarian relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta. With over 100 projects annually in some 25 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, Malteser International has been standing by those affected by poverty, disease, conflict and disaster, helping them lead a healthy life with dignity – without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Christian values and the humanitarian principles build the foundation of its work. For more information: www.malteser-international.org and www.orderofmalta.int.
