In the early hours of 6 April 2009, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the city of L’Aquila in central Italy, 120 km northeast of Rome.According to the Italian Red Cross at least 260 people are dead, 1,000 injured and 30 missing. The quake has left around 28,000 people homeless in the city, which has a population of 70,000.
It is critical that these people, many of whom have lost everything, get shelter, food and water.
We need to act now.
The Italian Red Cross is already responding with health, first aid, logistics and humanitarian relief. It has also established a field hospital to relieve the burden on local health facilities, which are under enormous strain, and set up mobile kitchens able to provide 10,000 meals a day. But more funds are urgently required to make sure everyone gets the help they need.
A small donation goes a long way. Even the value of a small Easter egg will help someone who has lost everything. Just think about it, and give if you can.