With a call for international solidarity and the centrality of human dignity, the Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta spoke today at the plenary session of the 78th World Health Assembly, currently taking place in Geneva (19-22 May). Speaking in front of the representatives of the WHO member states, Josef D. Blotz reaffirmed the centuries-old commitment of the Order to healthcare and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable, faithful to its hospitaller mission in a spirit of neutrality.

In his address, the Grand Hospitaller underlined how the Order of Malta, with its 170.000 members, volunteers and staff, is “modern by tradition”, capable of adapting to the most difficult contexts without losing “the simple call to help the poor and the sick. Wherever people are in need, we are there.”

In 2024, the Order of Malta intensified its presence in many emergency areas. In the Holy Land, the Grand Hospitaller recalled, “our long-standing commitment to peace and care continues amidst unimaginable suffering.” Between last June and December, in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, 35,000 people from all communities in northern Gaza were supported through the delivery of food supplies.

In Ukraine, a land battered by war, “we have extended our operations from emergency relief to long-term rehabilitation and psychological trauma support.” The Order of Malta’s relief efforts “reach 64 cities from frontline cities such as Kharkiv to the borders with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania, where the Order has supported over 4 million people.”

Finally, Blotz spoke about the intervention following the recent earthquake in central Myanmar. “Our international relief agency, Malteser International, is delivering urgent medical care, psychosocial support, and public health services to affected communities.” The Order has been active in Myanmar since 1996. Now, “with hospitals overwhelmed and infrastructure damaged, our teams in Yangon and Shan State are addressing critical health needs, including access to clean water and sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks.”

The Sovereign Order of Malta’s presence at the 78th World Health Assembly confirms its active role in humanitarian diplomacy and international cooperation for global health, in line with its status as a sovereign entity and permanent observer at the United Nations.

The Grand Hospitaller had also bilateral meetings with Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine, Rakan Nassereddine, Minister of Public Health of Lebanon, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesys, WHO Director-General, Altaf Musani, WHO Director of Emergency Health Interventions, Joaquin Molina, Head of the NATO Liaison Office to the International Organizations in Geneva, Musaab Nazzal al-Ali, Minister of Health of Syria, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, Maged Abu Ramadan, Minister of Health of Palestine, and Tai-Yuan Chiu, Minister of Health and Welfare of Taiwan.