Earthquake Aftermath in central Italy: Order of Malta’s Relief Corps on the frontline of rescue operations
Seventy volunteers from the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps are currently deployed on a daily basis in the areas affected by the violent earthquake that struck central Italy at 3.36 am on 24 August, and that has left 293 dead and more than 2,000 homeless.
The Order of Malta’s volunteers are providing support – by providing first aid, offering psychological assistance and distributing basic needs – to the many affected by the devastating quake. The team includes rescuers, doctors – 2 of whom are on duty for helicopter rescue – nurses and psychologists. The Order of Malta volunteers are in charge of the Sports Stadium in Amatrice, where up to 150 people whose houses were destroyed in the earthquake can take shelter. The Sports Stadium is also where a great amount of aid supplies are stored.
Distribution of medicines and health assistance is also offered to the population living in the isolated surrounding communities.
The Assessment and Quick Reaction Unit of the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps arrived early on Wednesday morning, just a few hours after the quake, in the area affected. In cooperation with the Italian Civil Protection, it immediately assessed areas suitable for tent cities. At the same time, the medical team worked late into the night in an emergency first-aid post set up in the sports field where various medevac (medical evacuation) transportations to hospitals outside the region were carried out by helicopter. A canine unit was also deployed by the Italian Relief Corps soon after the quake in the Amatrice centre- now razed to the ground- in order to rescue more people.
Volunteers of the Order of Malta are also assisting the population in Norcia, Umbria, affected by the earthquake.
Read more Latest News
