ACTIVITY REPORT The 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto elected 2 May 2018 A message from the Grand Master As Grand Masters down the centuries before me have done, I now have the great re- Fra’ Giacomo sponsibility of leading our Order in its continuing mission of tuitio fidei et obsequium Dalla Torre pauperum (to care for those in need, inspired by our Christian principles) – which is in its almost one thousandth year. From the care for pilgrims and the sick in del Tempio Jerusalem carried out so long ago by our Founder Blessed Gérard and his congre- gation, to the care we give today to those in need, the Order has extended its reach di Sanguinetto but maintained its same inspiration. Our tradition is that of care and of a spiritual 80th Grand Master motivation. We have travelled through eras that have at times been difficult, but the of the Sovereign Order of Malta Order has always stayed the course and kept its focus on the most important mat- ters – our care for those who need us, with Christian love of our fellow man. The care we provide ranges over many kinds of support, and one of the most involv- ing at the moment is that of assisting the many thousands of refugees and migrants at all stages of their search for stability and a better life. We help them in their coun- tries of origin, on the routes they take to escape the crisis situations they leave be- hind and in the host countries. Recognising the importance of integration in their Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre joins guests at the 7th Italian Summer Camp for Young Disabled in Padua 2 SOVEREIGN MILITARY HOSPITALLER ORDER OF ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM OF RHODES AND OF MALTA On a State visit to Cameroon, new communities, we have established integration programmes in many of these the Grand Master meets religious societies – from language courses, to school tuition, to professional programmes in leaders in a refugee camp the host’s language. All these are constructive ways of aiding integration, both into the nation where they are living and also with refugees and migrants from other countries. To combat the scourge of human trafficking, we recently appointed two Ambassadors, one in Geneva, the other in Lagos, whose task is to raise awareness of this evil and the need to protect its victims. We care, too, for the needs of the local communities, who often require extra support in adapting to the new arrivals. In this publication we have focussed on the plight of those on the move, understanding and responding to their needs, and to the needs of the host societies. In addition to this special category of help, I do not forget our thousands of members, volunteers and staff who, all over the world, are giving of their all for those who need them. These are not one-time activities, they are the ongoing, every day commit- ments of care. These are our unsung heroes whom we appreciate deeply and always, who look ceaselessly to the poor, the disadvantaged, the handicapped, the elderly lonely, to children who need nourishment or education or love – or all three. They are always there to help. In the pages of this publication you will find the latest information on all these works. I am proud of all that this world family, this force for good, does to alleviate suffering in the world. 3 A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND MASTER EMERGENCY AID The problem of care for refugees continues to grow. Millions are on the move, risking everything in search of a better life, fleeing wars, famine, persecution, poverty, natural catastrophe. Meeting their most urgent needs, the Order provides emergency care for migrants and refugees, as well as reconstruction programmes in devastated areas. 6 SOVEREIGN MILITARY HOSPITALLER ORDER OF ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM OF RHODES AND OF MALTA SOCIAL SUPPORT Everywhere in the world there are problems of old age, loneliness, poverty, homelessness. The Order, with its members, medical personnel and dedicated young volunteers, together organise care and support for people in great need. 7 LOREM - IPSUM HEALTH CARE Continuing its age-old tradition of hospitaller care, in Order hospitals, clinics, mobile units and medical campaigns everywhere, the doors are always open to patients of every background, every age, every religion. contents Section 1 Creating a supply organisation Expanding health and social care A new start: integrating into host Switzerland: A specialised recycling activities: Recent accords .....................64 countries operation................................................38 International reviews strengthen Integrating refugees and IDPs Coordinating an international activities: Recent conferences ..............66 1. The challenge - To be welcoming programme and protective ....................................12 1. Lebanon: A holiday destination which Government of the Sovereign Order.....68 2. One humanity – Ensuring safety brings hope and joy to disabled and dignity for migrants....................16 guests ................................................40 Diplomatic relations of the 2. Cuba: Reaching out to people in Sovereign Order worldwide...................69 Integrating minorities need in Latin America and the 1. On migration – The issues and Caribbean ..........................................42 Section 4 measures in Germany.......................18 3. North America: Restoration, The inspiration and the commitment 2. The Roma – Creating dignity, reconciliation, rehabilitation .............44 building futures .................................20 The Christian meaning of volunteer The Global Fund work: An interview with the Prelate .....72 The impact of integration: the eye for Forgetten People .............................46 witness Section 5 1. Syria and Turkey: The longing Section 3 A legacy that will never die for the homeland...............................22 The heart of the Sovereign Order of Malta 2. Albania: On being a foreigner Medical advances in Malta: in one’s own country .........................26 State and Official Visits .........................50 The contribution of the Order ...............76 3. France: A specialised programme, the ‘Migrant Hub’...............................28 Diplomacy in action Section 6 1. Grand Chancellor: Raising public Care that reaches around the world Section 2 awareness of problems and threats Spotlight on special projects in the humanitarian field...................56 AFRICA...................................................80 2. Grand Hospitaller: A global AMERICAS .............................................88 Creating an aid organisation commitment to people in need.........58 ASIA PACIFIC .......................................100 1. Hungary: ‘We put together 3. The Sovereign Order EUROPE ...............................................106 what was needed’..............................32 as a unique Observer entity MIDDLE EAST ......................................122 2. South Africa: A work that shapes at the United Nations ........................60 lives and saves lives ..........................36 4. Through its humanitarian diplomacy Order of Malta the Sovereign Order organisations worldwide.....................126 has a special role ..............................62 9 CONTENTS SECTION 1 A new start: integrating into host countries With the arrival of thousands of refugees and migrants, fleeing violence, persecution, famine or poverty in their countries of origin, the challenge for the developed world is to integrate them into host countries so that all can benefit. Integrating refugees and IDPs 1. The challenge: to be welcoming and protective An inclusive vision of ecology and integral human development, of ‘life in its fullness’ You have spoken movingly of the interconnected concerns of caring for human life An interview with and protecting the environment - concerns set out in Laudato Si – on care for our Cardinal Peter common home. How can we take these concerns further? Yes, everything is interconnected, as Pope Francis teaches us; and everything is also Turkson inter-dependent! In that sense, a way of carrying these concerns further is to revisit Prefect of the Dicastery for the the central teaching of the Encyclical Letter, Laudato sì, which is “integral ecology”. Promotion of Integral Human Under “integral ecology”, Pope Francis pulls together all that his predecessors have Development had to say on the subject of “ecology”: from “natural ecology” of Pope Paul VI to “nat- ural and human ecology” of Pope John Paul II to “natural, human, social and ecology of peace” of Pope Benedict XVI and finally to “integral ecology” of Pope Francis. The expansion of the sense of “ecology” in the writings of the Popes invites us to consider the widening sense of what it takes to promote an inclusive vision of ecology and in- tegral human development. It may well be the sense of “having life in its fullness” of the Gospel (Jn. 10:10). The Bible tells us to welcome the stranger. You have spoken strongly against these waves of migration. How can we reconcile the two positions? Indeed, the Bible does not only tell us to welcome the stranger, it makes the experi- ence of being a migrant an important theological motif. That experience of being a migrant is used by God for his salvific purposes. Such was the case of Abraham, the Sons of Jacob, Jeroboam, Ruth, etc. In their migrant and uprooted conditions, they serve God’s purpose. Besides, God enjoins on the Hebrews to consider the stranger as a member of the community, because they themselves were