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As part of the AAP (Programmed Food Aid) project, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Henry Simonin, humanitarian advisor at the French Embassy in Lebanon. This visit was an opportunity to showcase our initiatives in the Zgharta region (North Lebanon), with a focus on our agro-humanitarian center in Mejdlaya, our socio-medical center in Khaldieh, and our mobile community kitchen.

Launched in September 2024, the AAP project takes a holistic approach in addressing the causes and consequences of malnutrition and food insecurity in Lebanon. It also aims to strengthen the resilience of affected communities in the face of future crises, targeting a broad segment of the population, with more than 15,420 direct beneficiaries and 19,240 indirect beneficiaries.

This initiative extends across Lebanon, with particular emphasis on the regions most affected by the crisis, including the North, the Bekaa, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the South. It is structured around three key areas of intervention:

• Food assistance: Providing hot meals, breakfasts, and snacks through OML’s three Mobile Community Kitchens (The Sharing Wheel), serving schools and disadvantaged areas in the North, South, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the Bekaa. These efforts target vulnerable populations and include school meal distributions in public and semi-private schools.
• Combating malnutrition: Nutrition awareness sessions will be conducted through OML’s network, alongside the distribution of nutrition kits and specialized packages. This initiative will also include screening services and medical and nutritional follow-ups for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as for children aged 1,000 days and older.
• Support for local agriculture: The project also focuses on assisting small-scale farmers in the most affected communities by providing agroecological kits, regular technical support, and training sessions. Additionally, five municipalities will receive support in watershed management through agroforestry initiatives, contributing to environmental protection and long-term food security. 

 Riccardo Paternò di Montecupomet the highest institutional offices of the new Lebanese government

 Beirut, 13 March 2025 – The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, commenced a three-day visit to Lebanon today, reaffirming the Order’s longstanding commitment and support to the Lebanese people during the country’s critical recovery phase.

This high-level diplomatic mission underscores 70 years of continuous involvement by the Order of Malta in Lebanon, primarily in health, social welfare, and agriculture sectors, embodying Lebanon’s exemplary spirit of coexistence and resilience.

On the first day of his visit, the Grand Chancellor engaged in a series of key meetings. He met with Lebanon’s President Joseph Khalil Aoun, with the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Rajji, then met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and National Assembly President Nabih Berri. Discussions emphasized strengthening the existing cooperation agreement between Lebanon and the Sovereign Order of Malta, aiming to diversify and expand collaborative humanitarian and healthcare initiatives. The Lebanese institutions expressed appreciation for the Order of Malta’s work in support of the Lebanese people.

The Grand Chancellor was accompanied during his visits by Ambassadors Giampaolo Cantini and Maria Emerica Cortese as well as Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (Order of Malta Lebanon), and François Abi Saab, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon.

The Grand Chancellor warmly congratulated President Aoun on his election, and Prime Minister Salam on his recent appointment. He expressed the Order’s best wishes for all possible success in the accomplishment of their high mandate, welcoming the new phase in domestic politics and ongoing stabilization efforts.

“The international community and the major regional actors should fully support a process of stabilization and reconstruction,” the Grand Chancellor stated. “The Sovereign Order of Malta will not spare its efforts to participate in such international support to Lebanon. Our historical ties to this region run deep – rooted in Jerusalem almost one thousand years ago – and our commitment to serve its people continues unwaveringly.”

Throughout his visit, the Grand Chancellor will tour key humanitarian and development projects managed by the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, highlighting the Order’s deep commitment and active collaboration with local and international partners in serving Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities.

On March 11^th 2025, Ambassador Maria Emerica Cortese presented her credentials to the President of the Lebanese Republic, H.E. Joseph Aoun.

During the solemn ceremony, the Ambassador had the opportunity to engage with the President, reaffirming the strong and longstanding relations between the Order of Malta and Lebanon.

The meeting concluded with a toast, marking a shared commitment to further strengthening this valued partnership.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Monaco, which generously responded to our call for help for the “Make a WISH – A Warm Winter” initiative. This essential project aims to meet the pressing needs of vulnerable populations facing the harshness of winter, particularly the elderly who visit our centers and warm homes.

Winter: A Critical Season for the Most Fragile

During the winter season, essential goods become a matter of survival for the most fragile people, whether they are residents or displaced. The communities we support include individuals who have lost their basic goods, their jobs, or are living in conditions of great precariousness due to conflict or ongoing economic difficulties.

Our teams of social workers carry out a thorough needs assessment within the different communities in order to provide suitable winter equipment. These efforts aim to protect the most deprived from the cold, in the most exposed regions of the country, notably in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, Akkar, Nabatieh, South Lebanon and Baalbeck-Hermel.

An example of international solidarity

This initiative embodies the power of international solidarity. It shows how, by joining forces, we can make a real difference in the lives of populations facing serious difficulties. Each gesture of support demonstrates a shared humanity and gives the most deprived the means to get through the winter with dignity.

We express our most sincere gratitude to the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Monaco, as well as to all those who took part in this beautiful chain of solidarity. This commitment inspires and gives hope to thousands of people who, thanks to your help, will be able to face the winter in better conditions.

Together, we prove that generosity has no borders.

During his visit to Beirut, President Emmanuel Macron reunited with the Order of Malta Lebanon teams, whom he had first met during his 2020 visit following the Beirut explosion. This time, he took the opportunity to thank the staff and volunteers for their unwavering dedication, particularly during the recent war, recognizing their critical role in providing care and support to those in need across the country and especially in the south.

OML expressed their gratitude to France’s support to its programs empowering local communities, despite the immense challenges posed by the multi-dimensional crises and regional tensions.

This brief visit offered a unique opportunity to showcase the impact of OML’s efforts, from delivering essential healthcare services to food security. It also emphasized the power of collaboration between humanitarian organizations and international partners in building resilience and ensuring dignity for all.

In a shared commitment to tackling the social and humanitarian challenges in Lebanon, the Lebanese Army, the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L), and the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta have signed a memorandum of understanding. This agreement was signed on Tuesday January 7, 2025, by General Joseph Aoun, Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, Major General Diodate Abagnara, representing the MTC4L, and Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, also known as the Order of Malta Lebanon.

This partnership builds on the long-standing cooperation between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Lebanese state in serving vulnerable populations with professionalism and transparency. It also highlights the deep and enduring relationship between the Order of Malta Lebanon and the Lebanese Army, founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to serving the Lebanese people.

The initiative brings together the Lebanese Army, the MTC4L, and the Order of Malta Lebanon, an organization with nationwide operations in Lebanon that runs over 60 projects in healthcare, social support, and agro-humanitarian development to assist the most disadvantaged communities. The MTC4L, established at an international level is currently composed of 8 members (Italy, Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union), observers/partners and contributors (Australia, Canada, Egypt, Japan, the European External Action Service – EEAS, the European Union Military Staff – EUMS, UNIFIL, UNSCOL, Qatar, Belgium and Denmark), operates under Italian leadership. It has a dual mission: to support the Lebanese Army and, more importantly, the Lebanese population through humanitarian initiatives. The MTC4L acts in compliance with current United Nations resolutions and bilateral and international missions operating in Lebanon.

These three entities unite under an apolitical banner to contribute to Lebanon’s stability and resilience, emphasizing the complementary roles of civilian and military collaboration. This partnership aligns with the humanitarian mission of the Order of Malta to assist vulnerable populations.

Joint committees representing the three institutions will oversee the planning and implementation of their joint actions to ensure alignment with national and community priorities. The agreement takes immediate effect and is set for an initial term of three years, with automatic renewals, ensuring a long-term collaboration.

The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and the Order of Malta Lebanon have signed a cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening efforts in agricultural and rural development in Lebanon, marking a renewed commitment to supporting farmers, particularly in the country’s most vulnerable regions.

This cooperation protocol, signed by Dr. Abbas Hajj Hassan, Minister of Agriculture, and Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Order of Malta Lebanon, builds on the cooperation agreement established in 2009 between the Lebanese Republic and the Sovereign Order of Malta, which has been renewed since.

This agreement, resulting from a reflection on strengthening partnerships between the public sector and civil society, aims to pool the resources and expertise of both institutions to develop the agricultural sector and promote sustainable projects in rural areas. The focus is on improving agricultural services through rural development programs, providing technical and logistical support to farmers, and promoting sustainable development initiatives in agriculture.

After the signing, Minister Hajj Hassan emphasized the importance of partnerships with civil society to support farmers and enhance rural development, while Mr. Sehnaoui reaffirmed the commitment of the Order of Malta Lebanon to improve the living conditions of farmers as part of its agro-humanitarian program.

This collaboration represents a joint effort to complement the initiatives of both parties and marks an important step toward inclusive and sustainable growth in Lebanon’s rural areas, with the goal of reaching and assisting targeted groups and ensuring that the collaboration produces tangible results for improving the lives of Lebanon’s farmers.

Berlin, December 13, 2024 – The State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, hosted a high-profile event on Thursday evening to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and explore pathways for reconstruction and sustainable economic development, with the participation of Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock,

Lebanon, a country deeply affected by years of political and economic turmoil, faces an escalating humanitarian emergency, exacerbated by the aftermath of regional conflicts. This event, held at the Representation of North Rhine-Westphalia to the Federal Government in Berlin, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the German government, international organizations, and civil society.

The event began with an opening speech by Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs, Media and Head of State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia. In his remarks, Minister Liminski highlighted the urgency of providing immediate assistance to Lebanon while ensuring sustainable support for its long-term recovery.

A keynote address by Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underscored Germany’s commitment to alleviating the humanitarian plight in Lebanon. She emphasized the urgent need for international solidarity in providing immediate relief and supporting Lebanon’s reconstruction. It was followed by a greeting word by Mrs. Suzan Mouzi Deputy head of mission for the Embassy of Lebanon in Berlin,  who expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support of Germany and its partners.

The event also featured a panel discussion on coordinated efforts to stabilize Lebanon. Speakers included: Nathanael Liminski, Niels Annen (Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development), Josef Neumann (Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Health, and Social Affairs in the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia), in addition to Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Order of Malta Lebanon.

Sehnaoui opened the panel by delivering a compelling impulse on the situation in Lebanon and the organization’s unwavering commitment to its people, grateful to the long-standing support of the German government and to its partner Malteser International. He highlighted the Order’s continuous efforts to address the acute needs of displaced families, underprivileged communities, and marginalized groups, Sehnaoui called for sustained global support for reconstruction and socio-economic recovery.

Moderated by Marie von Manteuffel of Caritas International, the panel emphasized the importance of collaborative initiatives like those undertaken by the Order of Malta Lebanon. These efforts include food security, agriculture, healthcare, and vital infrastructure support for displaced populations and vulnerable communities.

The event concluded with a renewed call for international cooperation to support Lebanon as a beacon of coexistence in a region marked by conflict. Minister Nathanael Liminski stated, “Preserving Lebanon as a place of harmony between religions and cultures is not just a regional priority but a global responsibility.”

The presence of the Order of Malta Lebanon underscored the essential role of humanitarian organizations in fostering hope and resilience amid adversity.

We extend our sincere gratitude to H.E. Ambassador Marie-Thérèse Pictet-Althann, Permanent Observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and her esteemed delegation for welcoming the Lebanese Association of the Order of Malta and organizing insightful meetings on December 10th, with representatives from key UN agencies, including the World Health Organization, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In addition, meetings and important discussions took place with the Permanent Representatives of the Lebanese Republic and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN in Geneva.
We wish to express our profound appreciation to all those who have welcomed us, for their time and the valuable exchanges shared, particularly during these challenging times for our country.

On October 5, The Order of Malta Lebanon, in collaboration with the UN Inter-Agency Mission, including WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, as well as NRC, has successfully completed the withdrawal of its 8th Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) and 3rd Mobile Community Kitchen (MCK) located in Tyre. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the UN agencies for their unwavering collaboration and to the OML dedicated team for their courage in all circumstances. Our commitment to providing relief and hope to the vulnerable communities in southern Lebanon remains strong, as we continue to adapt and respond to their needs during these challenging times.