Rebuilding Ukraine may cost blood.
This is the reality faced by the Order of Malta, as one of its top leaders traveled to pay tribute to volunteers who lost their lives during the war. Many were Ukrainian citizens called to the front when the conflict broke out.
The Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta holds several responsibilities: ranging from Minister of Health to Humanitarian Action and International Cooperation.
During his trip to Ukraine, he visited initiatives promoted or supported by the Order. From helping to rebuild and maintain care centers for orphans to hiring doctors to support hospitals where staff are lacking.
JOSEF D. BLOTZ
Grand Hospitaller, Order of Malta
In short: what is the Order of Malta about? It's about helping people. We are to help people. The Order of Malta has started to create sustainable structures here in Ukraine in 1991. And this was actually one of the secrets for this succesfull story. Now we are present here in 73 different places in Ukraine.
Being in the country for more than 30 years has allowed them to grow, develop, and move with ease in a nation now at war.
They have allocated more than 80 million euros in aid to Ukraine. Few humanitarian institutions are capable of mobilizing such amounts. For the Order, this is the largest aid operation deployed since World War II.
JOSEF D. BLOTZ
Grand Hospitaller, Order of Malta
The Order of Malta is a facilitator, is a helper, a supporter. It is not just another NGO. Nothing against NGO of course but the Order of Malta is trying to add value to regular NGO work. And this added value is spirituality. We are a religious order by constitution, by the constitution of the order and we try to look at people in need in a comprensive way; body and soul. And this is what we are trying to have in focus.
The Order of Malta is a unique institution. It defines itself as a lay religious order, apolitical and neutral. It was born in the 11th century with the mission of welcoming pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. Over time, its influence grew to the point of becoming a diplomatic actor recognized internationally. In fact, it maintains bilateral relations with around 115 countries.
Now, its charism has taken it not only to Jerusalem but also to those places where humanity suffers most.
JRB
Trans. VL
