Aid for Refugees - Order of Malta

Care beyond boundaries: in countries of origin, along the journey and on arrival

The world is seeing the greatest displacement of peoples for over half a century. Millions are fleeing from war, persecution and poverty. The proliferation of crises and needs is extraordinary as are the dramatic humanitarian consequences. In these desperate situations, fleeing families are at the mercy of unscrupulous traffickers and the perils of the journey to what they hope will be freedom and a new life.

The Order of Malta is present along this journey – in countries of origin, at the borders through which thousands pass, and in host countries and final destinations – assisting refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants in approximately 30 countries across the globe. Refugees fleeing Syria are met at the Malteser International field hospital in Kilis on the Turkish border.

The hospital has 100 beds and is equipped for emergency surgery. Thanks to its cooperation with local partners, Malteser International supports nine healthcare centres including three mobile clinics in the Aleppo region in Syria.

In northern Iraq, Malteser International has launched a programme for the reintegration of refugees in their countries of origin, including many persecuted minorities such as the Yazidi. The project also involves the reconstruction of infrastructure and support for training and educational courses. In central Iraq, medical teams provide healthcare and dental services to displaced persons.

Since 2008 the doctors and rescuers of the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps have been present on Italian vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea, assisting some 200,000 migrants attempting the crossing on makeshift boats. These are medical teams specialised in emergency medicine.

In various European countries, the Order of Malta is developing legal, psychosocial and medical assistance programmes for migrants and asylum seekers. There are also specific courses to aid integration and knowledge of the local culture and language.

15/09/2015

The Order of Malta increases its efforts to assist refugees arriving in Europe

“In these dramatic times in which wars and terrorism are spreading throughout the Middle East and Africa, millions of people are forced to flee and seek refuge in Europe,” said the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Grand Chancellor, Albrecht Boeselager. “Inspired by the principles of solidarity and the moral imperative to alleviate human suffering, the Order […]

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31/08/2015

Rescuing migrants in the Strait of Sicily: 80,000 hours worked during the first seven months of 2015

In the Sicilian Channel the rescues and tragedies are never-ending. Last week, the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps gave first aid to 250 migrants rescued during two separate operations of the Coastguards’ vessel Fiorillo. Sadly, the Order’s doctors were unable to save the lives of three women and a man, migrants of different nationalities […]

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17/08/2015

Iraq: More than three million people forced from their homes by conflict

The Worldwide Relief Agency of the Order of Malta, Malteser International: “We have to keep our aid mobile” In the year or so since the mass exodus of Iraqis from Mosul and the Sinjar Mountains, more than three million people in Iraq have fled from the so-called ‘Islamic State’ terror group. The United Nations estimate […]

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