A new team of 32 Maltese firefighters and 8 volunteers will be heading to Turkey to aid in the earthquake relief efforts, replacing the current team that has been working tirelessly to rescue victims and retrieve bodies from the rubble.
The shift change was announced by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri on social media.
The Civil Protection Department (CPD) organised its rescue team one day after the catastrophic earthquakes struck Turkey and northern Syria, killing tens of thousands.
The Maltese rescuers are facing not only the humanitarian tragedy but also challenging weather conditions, with temperatures dropping below zero at night.
Minister Camilleri also announced that the CPD will continue to collect donations of food and clothing for the disaster-stricken areas in Turkey and Syria.
The Turkish Embassy in Malta has now limited its acceptances of donations to winter tents, gas heaters, blankets, and generators.
The CPD stated that they will divide these items between Turkey and Syria and redirect all other donations to Syria.
Telecom company Epic has also stepped in to support the disaster relief efforts by offering free international calls from Malta to Turkey or Syria and free roaming in Turkey for the entire month of February.
This initiative aims to ensure that those with loved ones in the affected countries can stay in touch.
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