€90,500 donated as Overseas Development Assistance

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning presented over €90,500 in donations to several local NGOs and individuals implementing several charitable projects in Africa, Asia and Central America. This funding is part of Malta's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programme.

Minister George Vella stated that Malta is committed to give its share in addressing poverty issues in less developed countries. The projects also aim to increase the education level and sustain a better health care system in these countries.

Vella appealed to individuals benefitting from this aid to form, or be part of, an NGO.

"This will contribute to more transparency. Accountability would help the Ministry oversee where the funds had gone and how it was spent," the Minister said.

All applications for funding were evaluated by a 7 person Advisory Board, composed of members from the Ministry's Development Unit and external members from civil society. The capacities of the applicant to successfully complete the project and the potential impact of the beneficiary community were also taken into consideration.

The complete list of projects and beneficiaries:

Millenium Chapel (€7,180) - Mitigation of the conflict in the City of Jos, Nigeria

Moviment Missjunarju Gesu fil-Proxxmu (€7,600) - Finishing of dormitories at a rehabilitation centre in Kenya

Joseph De Piro Middle School for Girls (€6,300) - Financing of classrooms, bathrooms and refurbishment of a school in Pakistan

Fr Cremona CAM Youths (€8,800) - Educational Centre in the Philippines

CAM (€8,200) - Catering facilities in Peru

Ghana Mission Fund (€12,500) - Operating Theatres in Ghana

Mother Margerita Debrincat School (€12,500) - Furnishing of classes and science laboratory in a school in the Philippines

Daughters of the Sacred Heart (€12,500) - Youth Formation Centre, Philippines

Segretarjat Missjonijiet Agostinjani (€6,500) - Equipping a social centre for the poor of Mozambique

Hospital San Juan Bautista (€5,120) - Purchase of an ambulance in Guatemala

Missionary Knights Malta Foundation (€7,600) - Roofing structure of a school, Peru

Pontifical Missions Societies (€12,500) - Entrepreneurship project with Shishinda Parish (Ethiopia)

Fr Grech (€6,340) - Building a sport facility in Guatemala

Fr Alberto Gauci (€8,000) - Construction of Sports complex, Honduras

Fr Nicholas Schembri (€12,500) - Youth formation centre in Peru