Malta funds international projects to ‘make poverty history’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided funds to nine local NGOs to carry out projects in Africa and South America to help in fighting poverty.
For the year 2009, €330,000 were made available. This is an increase of 65% over the previous year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg explained that 34 applications were received after an expression of interest was issued earlier this year. The committee set up by the Ministry analysed these applications and met with all eligible applicants.
Nine NGOs were identified as satisfying all criteria. Criteria included that proposals should be related to infrastructural works in third world countries and projects are to be carried out by local NGOs. The Government of Malta is financing 80% of these projects. Agreements were signed by NGO representatives and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Cecilia Attard Pirotta.
Dr Tonio Borg emphasised that the need for an overseas development policy and for a framework for humanitarian assistance derives from the values which underlie Malta’s Foreign Policy. These values include solidarity, respect for human life and for the dignity and freedom of every human being.
In furtherance of these values, all development must be sustainable development, taking place in full respect for the cultural and natural heritage and environment.
Furthermore, Minister Borg explained that Malta views development as a fundamental catalyst in ensuring that globalisation is a force for good, narrowing the wealth gap and ensuring that the human being and human dignity remains at the centre of economic and political action.
Project 1 – Mission Fund This is a project proposal titled “Mission Fund” submitted by Mr Joseph Mifsud and Fr Marcellino Micallef to fund works and equipment required for Atimam Primary school in Tanzania. The assistance given is of €29,000.
Project 2 – Happy Movement Kenya This is an application submitted by Mr Otto Michael Ludwig Weiman to finance projects in Kenya. These proposed projects include:
a proposal for the enlargement of an orphanage accommodating those children whose parents died of AIDS;
replacement of a water pump that drives water from a borehole 30 meters deep in the village of Matuu;
construction of a nursery school; and
an internet centre in Makuyu town, Kenya.
The assistance given is of €12,000.
Project 3 – Kare4Kenya Kare4Kenya proposes the setting up of a community centre in Kenya. Through this project they hope to be able to expand and reach more people within the community, as well as better the quality of work that they have been carrying out. The community centre will be run by Kare4Kenya’s Kenyan employees. The centre will allow them to have a centralised structure within the community, enabling work to be carried out with greater ease for better result, including on going mini projects. The assistance given is of €16,000.
Project 4 – Malta Red Cross This is a project submitted by Malta Red Cross and the funds are required to finance the realisation of a project in Swaziland, including transport (both international and internal), accommodation, training equipment, first aid kits, printing of manuals, course charts, flip charts, notes, instructor packs and bags. The assistance given is of €24,000.
Project 5 – Missjoni Ethiopia This is the ‘Missjoni Etiopia’ project submitted by Mark Caruana to finance, in Ethiopia, a low cost housing project for 55 families to be named ‘Village Malta’. The assistance given is of €55,000.
Project 6 – INYGO Foundation This is a project proposal submitted by INYGO Malta Foundation through Joseph Cassar S.J. for their Ethiopia project, for the part funding of water desalination equipment, for a potable water project on the compound of the Missionaries of Charity in Semera Town, Afar region in Ethiopia. The assistance given is of €25,200.
Project 7 – Gawad Kalinga This is a project submitted by CFC-ANCOP Malta Foundation to build 30 houses and one multi-purpose hall that shall benefit the residents of a migrant and refugee community in Nairobi, Kenya. The project forms part of the ongoing community activities of CFC-ANCOP in the area. The assistance given is of €24,000.
Project 8 – Daughters of the Sacred Heart This is a project proposal submitted by the Daughters of the Sacred Heart to build a nursery section in a school compound in Buza, Tanzania. The school is already operating in a building close to the construction site. The assistance given is of €40,000.
Project 9 – Rev Nicholas Schembri (Missionary in Peru) The funds are required for a playing field project in Aplao, Arequipa, Peru. The assistance given is of €12,000.
These infrastructural projects will be carried out in the coming months and years. An expression of interest for 2010 Overseas Development Aid funds will be issued early next year by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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