“An agreement on the ceasefire is the most urgent need for reversing the spiral of violence and death” in Gaza. This was stated yesterday in New York by the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, speaking yesterday at the meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two State Solution. The meeting took place during the opening week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“We should think and plan in terms of stabilization and reconstruction, under proper political and security conditions” concluded Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo. “The Sovereign Order of Malta will not spare its efforts and will continue to be on the ground and to focus its advocacy and activities in favour of the most disadvantaged: children, especially the thousands of orphans, the disabled, the elderly and the alone, and the growing number of traumatized adults. Such a situation compounds the risks of social marginalization and political radicalization.”

At present, the Order of Malta’s humanitarian activities in Palestine are focused on the Gaza City aid project, carried out in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the recently raided Holy Family Church in Gaza. Since May 2024, 200 tons of food have been delivered to over 25,000 civilians, and a healthcare centre for the local community is actually on the agenda. The Order of Malta also continues to support the logistical aspects of food distribution by the Patriarchate.

During these days in New York, the Grand Chancellor is holding a series of bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Latvia, Andorra and Norway. He also met with Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations, and signed a Declaration of Intent for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The Order of Malta’s commitment in Palestine

In addition to the aid project in Gaza City in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Order of Malta’s major activity is its Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, providing high-quality mother and child care in the West Bank since 1990. Since it is the only facility in the region that can handle premature births, thanks to an 18-bed neonatal intensive care unit, it is point of reference for all pregnant women in the area, particularly those who need specialized treatment. With Muslim and Christian doctors, midwives and nurses, it guarantees a service without distinctions of belief or social condition, offering assistance at reduced cost or completely free of charge.

Also in the West Bank, the Order of Malta stands alongside the population with mobile clinics, distribution of vouchers for basic necessities, microcredit initiatives and health training activities.