This morning, the Lebanese First Lady Nehmat Aoun met with the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John T. Dunlap, on the occasion of the 68th International Pilgrimage of the Order of Malta to Lourdes. Also present at the meeting were the Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, and the President of the Order of Malta in Lebanon, Marwan Sehnaoui.

As already stated in a recent letter addressed to Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the Grand Master reiterated the Order of Malta’s deep solidarity and support for the institutions and people of Lebanon in the face of the current tragic circumstances and their extremely grave humanitarian consequences, assuring the continuation of every effort to support the country. The First Lady emphasized how the presence of the Order in Lebanon is “unique and irreplaceable,” as it represents service, cohesion, and neutrality.

The Lebanese Association of the Order of Malta (also known as the Order of Malta in Lebanon) has been committed for decades to serving the country’s most vulnerable communities, regardless of ethnic or religious background, to the highest standards of quality. Through a network of 60 projects and programs—comprising 12 health centers, 12 mobile medical units, 7 agro-humanitarian centers, 3 mobile community kitchens, 2 care centers for people with disabilities, and numerous other programs—the Order of Malta in Lebanon provides essential medical, social, and agricultural support to those in need. Apolitical, neutral, and impartial, it is rooted in the principles of dignity, solidarity, and service, and its mission goes beyond relief to promote long-term resilience and inclusion.