60 volunteer groups which reported damages following Storm Harry, will be benefitting from nearly €330,000 which was allocated for support.This was announced by Volunteering Minister Julia Farrugia during visits to Sliema Aquatic Sports Club and RMJ Horse Rescue- two organisations severely affected by the storm. Both are located along the coast, which bore the brunt of the storm, and RMJ Horse Rescue also suffered significant financial impacts.The consequences of Storm Harry for volunteer organisations were varied. Many had to halt or drastically reduce their activities, while several lost essential equipment, suffered damage to their premises and had to reschedule services and initiatives.As a result, some communities were temporarily without regular support, and volunteers faced additional burdens to restore their organisations to normal operations.The process for financial support began with a formal registration of damages by the volunteer organisations, following a call issued by the Malta Council for Voluntary Sector (MCVS). This allowed all organisations affected by Storm Harry—whether in terms of infrastructure, equipment, project sites, volunteer resources, or community programmes—to declare their losses and request the assistance needed.Financial support is being provided under clear and transparent parameters: organisations requesting up to €10,000 will receive 100% of the requested amount, those requesting between €10,001 and €50,000 will receive up to 80%, and requests exceeding €50,000 will receive up to 60%, with a maximum allocation of €30,000 per organisation. Each organisation may benefit from only one public funding source related to the storm to ensure fair and equitable distribution.“Storm Harry did not just impact our infrastructure; it struck the heart of many volunteer organisations that dedicate their time and energy daily to making a difference in the lives of Maltese people,” explained Farrugia. “Yet what we have witnessed in recent weeks has been truly inspiring—despite the damages and challenges, these organisations did not stop. They remained active, present, and demonstrated that volunteering in Malta is not merely charity but a way of life and a commitment to each other as a community.”“As a government, we understand the crucial role of the volunteer sector, which is why we are allocating direct funds to help these 60 organisations recover efficiently and quickly. This is not just financial support—it is a clear message that we believe in you, appreciate your work, and want to stand by you every step of the way,” she added.“The Council continues to listen to the needs of organisations, especially when they face situations like this that require support to prevent unnecessary long-term hardship for the sector,” stated the CEO of MCVS, Mauro Pace Parascandalo.•