FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2023

Hawaii Wildfire Relief

New York, NY – As we’ve seen, the devastation caused by the wildfires in Hawaii has been one of the highest on record in the United States. Nearly 100 deaths, 2700 homes entirely destroyed, and over 85% of the town of Lahaina has been leveled.  Thousands remain without power, and the death toll will continue to rise in the coming days.  

Together, with your support, with our partners, and in coordination with our Order of Malta Associations (American, Western, and Federal), we’re going to do all we can to support them in the rebuilding and rehabilitation phase of this tragedy. 

As the Order of Malta’s dedicated humanitarian arm, we at Malteser International Americas have a track record in supporting during and after global emergencies, as we have demonstrated in the past in Ukraine, Türkiye/Syria, and Haiti – and we will continue to do so for our brethren here at home.

Through our network, we will work to coordinate our efforts, ensure aid is getting into the right hands, and, most importantly, is helping those most in need while following direction from national, state, and local authorities. Currently, the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) have requested that outside organizations not yet deploy due to a lack of housing and resources on the island, but the road to recovery will be long, and the needs of the people of Hawaii is immense.

Malteser International Americas is an affiliate of Malteser International and is the worldwide relief and development organization of the Sovereign Order of Malta. The organization provides aid to people in need in around 140 projects in 36 countries, regardless of their religion, gender, origin, or political convictions. Christian values and humanitarian principles form the basis of its work. Further information: www.orderofmaltarelief.org  

Press Contact: Sara Villoresi, sara.villoresi@malteser-international.org