News

Our partner, Malteser International, has a vacancy for a Partner Advisor Administration and Compliance (m/f/d)

In the Middle East Region, Malteser International (MI) is operating in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Syria since 2012 implementing emergency relief measures in Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon and since 2014 in Iraq. Malteser International’s programs cover needs mainly in the health sector and are mostly partner implemented.
In Lebanon, Malteser International works in cooperation with the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM) to implement projects in the framework of humanitarian assistance and transitional aid funded by the German Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. LAKM and MI are currently in the process to jointly set-up a comprehensive multi-annual program to strengthen the social and health services of LAKM all over Lebanon and further professionalize LAKM as Non-Governmental Organization.

In support of our work and to strengthen the capacities of our local Partner in Beirut, Lebanon, Malteser International is looking for an experienced 

Partner Advisor Administration and Compliance (m/f/d)

As Partner Advisor Administration and Compliance, you will support the partner organization LAKM in all financial, administrative and logistic aspects of the new planned program, as well as the current running projects, ensuring and maintaining compliance with Malteser International and donor procedures, standards, rules and regulations. You will work closely with the partner organization and the MI Partner Program Coordinator in Beirut.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure compliance of the partner organization with the financial, administrative and logistic procedures of Malteser International and the donors during program planning, implementation and closure
• Supervise, monitor and advise relevant staff of the partner organization to ensure that the administration, logistic and finance system adheres to Malteser International’s and donor’s standards and provide training as necessary
• Ensure sound planning and preparation of budgets, amendments and forecasts together with the partner organization and the Partner Program Coordinator
• Ensure proper cash flow management according to available Malteser International and donor funds
• Review donor financial reports and ensure that they are prepared in line with Malteser and donor reporting requirements
• Ensure correct utilization of relevant procurement guidelines, supply chain management forms and oversee fleet management
• Set-up a new administrative location of Malteser International (opening of bank account, defining standards for cash handling, keeping of cash books, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 4 years professional experience in financial and administrative management
• In depth knowledge of financial control systems, accounting, budget planning and financial reporting in humanitarian/development aid projects
• Experience in working with national partner organizations and implementation of trainings
• Proven experience in administrative standards and requirements of institutional donors
• Proven experience in logistics, office organization and human resources management
• Ability to be a flexible team player and to promote productivity in a pleasant working environment
• Good coordination and organizational skills such as timely follow-up
• Physical and mental strength, readiness to live in Beirut or surroundings
• Fully computer literate (Microsoft Office, accounting software), ability to implement new soft-ware packages in field locations
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); French/Arabic/German would be an asset

CONDITIONS:

• Start Date: as soon as possible, but no later than September 15, 2020 
• Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon with very frequent travels to program/project areas 
• Duration of contract: 12 months (extendable)
• Salary according to qualification and experience, insurance package, accommodation in team house, 30 paid leave days per year plus 13 public holidays, 1 home flight per year 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION, PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT https://bit.ly/3eIsjNN

Please submit your application (CV, letter of motivation, copies of diplomas and three references) until August 2nd, 2020.

Please note that due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Malteser International
D-50825 Cologne / Germany
www.malteser-international.org

A new Doctor to Doctor meeting took place on Wednesday 10 June with Lebanese, Italian and German health experts. Aim of the virtual meeting, one out of several that the Order of Malta has been convening with Middle Eastern countries together with the London based think tank Forward Thinking, is to allow doctors and health specialists to share knowledge on the management and treatment of Covid 19. Like many other countries, Lebanon too has been hit by the pandemic at two different levels, at a national and hospital level as well as in the more remote areas in the country. Thanks to a swift reaction with an early lockdown implemented, health authorities were able to contain the spread of the virus narrowing the pressure on the country’s infrastructures – a decision that proved pivotal considering the shortage of ICU beds.

As explained by Lebanese doctors during the online meeting, an effective communication, partnered with a local media campaign urging people to stay home and involving family practitioners informing patients on the importance of hand hygiene and of wearing masks, was also key in managing the first outbreak. A scientific committee was created and was summoned regularly twice a week in order to discuss prevention and treatment of the virus, indications on which drugs to use as well as which literature to refer to. The committee produced a protocol in order to have a consistent strategy in the management of the patients which led to a successful containment of the epidemic. The data, with 32 deaths and just over 1,460 cases detected so far, is encouraging when compared with many other countries dealing with the pandemic.

Participants in the meeting, including professors from several universities and medical institutions, representatives from the Red Cross doctors and health workers from the many facilities run by the Lebanese association of the Order of Malta. stressed the importance of establishing a strong collaboration between the different authorities in order to promote an orderly and coherent management. The importance of promoting knowledge and best practices was emphasized by the participants, also in light of the constant development of the scientific community in understanding the nature of the virus.

Dr. Issa Farkh, Medical Director the Order of Malta Lebanon spoke about the challenges faced in providing aid to the needy amid the restrictions. Throughout the lockdown period, which saw a first lifting as from 4 May, serving the poor and disadvantaged through its several mobile medical units remained top priority for Order’s association. Albeit not all services were able to continue fully running, most activities are now being resumed. This is particularly important given the dire situation the country is living with an ongoing political, economic and social crisis which has led to rising tensions and a surge in poverty across the country.

For four decades the Order of Malta in Lebanon has been serving the most marginalized, the sick, the disabled, the elderly and the many refugees living in settlements. With 10 operating medical centres and many mobile medical units, the Order of Malta in Lebanon operates a network of 30 different projects spread throughout the country.

The Lebanese Association particularly thanks the participation and interventions of:

Dr. Salim Adib, Epidemiologist, American University of Beirut; Prof. Fadi Haddad, Infectious diseases, Hotel Dieu – CHU; Dr. Shawky Amire Eddine, Training director and Assistant medical director Lebanese Red Cross; Prof. Marianne Abi Fadel, dean of the faculty of Pharmacy – St Joseph University and director of Laboratoire Merieux – USJ and Dr. Josette Najjar, Fondation Merieux representative in Lebanon; Prof. Michele Asmar, dean of Public Health Superior Institute – St Joseph University; Cdt Habib Abdo, Pharmacist, Head of Lebanese Army Laboratories; Dr. Marianne Antar, Pharmacien biologiste du Laboratoire Mérieux; Dr. Sandy Bitar, Maître de conférences à la faculté de Pharmacie de l’USJ; Dr. Petra el Khoury, Maître de conférences à la faculté de Pharmacie de l’USJ; M. Nabil Makhlouf, Public Health Superior Institute – St Joseph University.

Our partner, Malteser International, has a vacancy for a Consultant (m/f/d) – Mid-Term Evaluation

Malteser International the worldwide relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta for humanitarian aid has more than 50 years of experience in humanitarian relief and covers around 100 projects in some 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas, annually. 
In the Middle East Malteser International is operating in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Syria since 2012 implementing emergency relief measure in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and since August 2014 in Iraq where the fight of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria caused a displacement of over 3.4 million persons inside of Iraq. Malteser International’s programs cover needs mainly in the health sector and are mostly partner implemented.
 
To conduct a mid-term evaluation within the German Government funded project “Mobile health care for conflict-affected Syrian refugees and host Lebanese communities in Akkar, Baalbek and Nabatieh, Lebanon”, Malteser International is looking for a 

Consultant (m/f/d)  – External Mid-term Evaluation

Background of Project / Objectives of Mid-term Evaluation:

In Lebanon, Malteser International supported its partner organization “The Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM)” by providing medical drugs, food and hygiene-kits for Syrian refugees in the Socio-Medical Centres of LAKM in 2012 and 2013. Starting from 2014, LAKM with the support of Malteser International operates three medical mobile units (MMU) in North Lebanon (Akkar), in Ras Baalbek and in the South of Lebanon (Yaroun) founded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and further provides primary health care to Syrian refugees and the needy Lebanese population through an extended PHC in Deir el Ahmar, founded by the Ministry of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). LAKM operates in the region for over 50 years with many local programs and a backbone network of nine socio-PHC spread all over the country. 

The genesis of the consultancy assignment refers to an ongoing AA-funded project which is being implemented by LAKM with the support, technical advice and monitoring of the Country Coordinator located in Beirut, Lebanon. The present project is running since January 2019 and has a duration of 24 months. A continuation of the project activities after December 2020 for further 24 months and possibly extended services is intended.

Timeframe:

The mid-term evaluation is planned to take place as early as feasible, preferably in the month of June 2020.

Draft work plan (to be discussed):

• Preparation/Briefing and reviewing of documents – 1 day
• Field visit – 4 days
• LAKM HQ visit – 3 days
• Final report – 2 days
• Total –  10 days

Deliverables:

• Inception Report. 
• Debriefing note (2 pages) 
• Final Report (electronic version in English, max. 20 pages)

Expertise of the evaluator(s):

The evaluation can be carried out by a single experienced evaluator or a team with proven expertise in the areas of intervention. The evaluator is required to have

• Proven evaluation experience of humanitarian projects required, preferably in a related field (Health)
• A minimum of five years of experience with humanitarian and/or developmental projects
• Experience in the context of the Middle East, preferably with Lebanon and with the Syrian crisis
• Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of French/Arabic would be an asset
• Postgraduate university degree or equivalent in the wider field of Health would be an added value
• AOB: The evaluator shall be currently present in Lebanon, due to the travel restrictions caused by the COVID19-crisis

For more information, please see the Terms of Reference

The Order of Malta Lebanon has a vacancy for a:

Social vulnerability Analyst & Project monitoring

• Duration of Assignment : Full time for a period of 5 months (June-November 2020)
• Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Assess recent vulnerability to financial crisis and covid-19 pandemic.
2. Review the concept of social vulnerability applicable to the 9 Community Health Centers of the Order of Malta across the Lebanese territory and its implication.
3. Conduct a consultation with focal points in main villages to identify criteria that impact social vulnerability and identify appropriate standards for drawing up vulnerability criteria catalogue.
4. Strengthen centers cooperation and staff knowledge on vulnerability process implementation.
5. Provide technical assistance of project implementation.
6. Monitor, control and follow up the project implementation.
7. Comply with the project guidelines.

• Competencies:

Professionalism – Demonstrated ability to coordinate tasks to meet deadlines. Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner

Teamwork – Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts. ability to contribute to a team.

Communication – Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. attention to detail.

• Skills and qualifications:

Education: A master’s degree in a filed related to social vulnerability (economics, social sciences….).

Work experience: A minimum of 6 years in creating policies and programs related to social vulnerability.

Previous experience in poverty aid/development

Language proficiency: Fluency in written and spoken English, French and Arabic.

Interested candidates should send an email to info@ordredemalteliban.org to receive the full TOR.

“We recognize our friends when they stand by our side in difficult times. The Order of Malta is more than a partner, it’s a loyal friend. Our relationship is not new, it started years ago, has grown and has been strengthened through numerous joint actions, both with the Saint Joseph University and with Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital (HDF). I hope it will last a long time”.

It is in these heartfelt words that Father Salim Daccache s.j., HDF President of the Board of Directors and USJ Rector, thanked the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM) for its gift to the hospital: a batch of medical equipments consisting of 4 ventilators and 1,000 rapid screening tests, all part of the association’s campaign to help support healthcare staff in the fight against Covid-19 and withhold its spread.

Father Daccache, alongside the General Manager of the hospital Martine Orio and a team of doctors, received the LAKM delegation formed by its president Marwan Sehnaoui, its Vice-President Patrick Jabre, its Hospitaller Paul Saghbini and its Medical Director Dr. Issa Farkh, who all came to deliver the donation to Hôtel-Dieu de France.

In his address, the Rector highlighted the active role of HDF, which was the first university hospital to join the fight against the pandemic since the end of February. All of the hospital’s human, material and financial resources were put to use to save lives and alleviate the suffering of people fighting the virus.

This is how the two institutions are linked by the same message of humanity and the same voaction: the service to the sick. “Because ultimately, this donation benefits the patient, not the hospital”, said Father Daccache. “And the Order of Malta has accustomed us to this notion of giving, which is inherent to its mission.”

“The human being at the heart of our work”

President Sehnaoui confirms it: “The Order of Malta always places the human, creation of God, at the center of its action. If existential decisions are made without taking man into consideration, they will lead the world to its demise. This is the reason our commitment to the poor and sick has never stopped, despite the many obstacles we face daily. It continues all over the Lebanese territory, through our Community Health Centers and our Mobile Medical Units. This perseverance in our efforts and the excellence of our services force our credibility with our local and international benefactors. Perhaps I should mention that our association lives only through the financial donations it receives, and we chose to draw on some of it to benefit HDF”.

Therefore, in the context of the severe health and economic crisis that the country is facing, the LAKM has chosen to draw on the financial donations granted to it to benefit the institutions that play a key role in the fight against the coronavirus: the Lebanese Army Forces, Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital and the Lebanese Red Cross, by equipping them with treatment and screening equipment for the Covid-19 (10 ventilators, an automated extraction device for PCR with its accessories and more than 3,000 rapid screening tests and PCR tests).

“It is our duty to stand by these 3 trusted institutions during this troubled period, and so we did. We have a responsibility to stand with each suffering person, and we will continue to do so”, said the president of the LAKM.

“Supporting HDF means supporting all of us as well as supporting our country, because your action is courageous and essential, both in terms of health and education that you provide to our young people through the courses of the USJ”, continues Mr. Sehnaoui. “With the Lord’s help, we will maintain the hope of a better tomorrow, despite the difficult circumstances we are going through, and we will continue to defend the dignity of all human beings, respecting their differences, in this Holy Land of Lebanon.”

The Lebanese Army Forces Commander, General Joseph Aoun, received in his office of Yarzeh the President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM), Marwan Sehnaoui, accompanied by LAKM’s Hospitaller Paul Saghbini, and a delegation from the association. Member of the Military Council General Elias Chamieh and the Military Healthcare Commander General Georges Youssef were also present to receive the donation made by the Association to the Lebanese Army.

General Aoun warmly thanked Mr. Sehnaoui for this donation, which will help build the Military Healthcare’s capacity, particularly in the fight against the coronavirus and its spread.

The delegation then moved to the Military Healthcare Unit in Badaro, to present General Youssef with the donation. The batch of medical equipment consists of 5 non-invasive ventilators, produced by the well-known French company Air Liquide – one of the most important companies specialized in manufacturing of this material –, as well as 1000 rapid tests and 1000 PCR tests, along with an Automated Extractor which completes the PCR screening device, and its 2000 extractor kits.

This donation is part of a cooperation protocol signed at the beginning of the year by the LAKM and the Lebanese Army Military Healthcare, to support the LAF infirmaries with the aim of raising their level of performance, thus enabling these facilities to provide health care in a better and more beneficial way.

At the handing over of the donation, President Sehnaoui said: “On the basis of this cooperation protocol, the association wished to extend its support to the army. It has thus chosen to draw on the financial donations granted to it to benefit the troops, in order to enable it to strengthen its capabilities in the field of the fight against the Covid-19, as we remain deeply convinced that it is a prime necessity to preserve the well-being of the military that protects and defends our country”.

It should be noted that the signing of the agreement between the Lebanese Army and the LAKM took place following the success of a pilot project launched in a joint center in the city of Rmeich, in Southern Lebanon.

The action of the LAKM

The Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, whose action depends entirely on the financial donations of its benefactors, continues its humanitarian operations throughout the Lebanese territory.

The association has been present and active in Lebanon for almost 60 years, and still operates today thanks to a network of around 30 humanitarian programs. Nearly 200000 medical procedures are performed annually, helping to support the needy and those suffering in difficult conditions, without any discrimination whatsoever and in cooperation with all religious communities.

 Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the LAKM’s contribution to fight it, the association has not slowed down its efforts to provide the essential health care, especially for the chronically ill. Therefore, it insisted on pursuing the activity of its Community Health Centers and Mobile Medical Units throughout the Lebanese regions, providing the necessary support and help to all those who need it now more than ever.

With profound regret the Grand Magistry announces the death of His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and 80th Grand Master Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, which took place in Rome a few minutes after midnight on 29th April, following an incurable disease diagnosed a few months ago. According to article 17 of the Constitution of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Grand Commander Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas has assumed the functions of Lieutenant ad interim and will remain head of the Sovereign Order until the election of the new Grand Master.

Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was born in Rome on 9 December 1944. He graduated in Literature and Philosophy from the Sapienza University of Rome, specializing in Christian archaeology and art history. He held academic positions in the Pontifical Urbaniana University, teaching classical Greek, and also served as chief librarian and archivist for the university’s important collections. He has published a range of academic articles and essays on aspects of mediaeval art history.

Admitted to the Sovereign Order in 1985 as Knight of Honour and Devotion, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto took his solemn vows in 1993. From 1994 to 1999 he was Grand Prior of Lombardy and Venice and from 1999 to 2004 a member of the Sovereign Council. He was elected Grand Commander at the Chapter General of 2004 and on the death of the 78th Grand Master, Fra’ Andrew Bertie, in February 2008 he became Lieutenant ad interim. From 2008 to 2017 Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre held the position of Grand Prior of Rome. Upon the resignation of the 79th Grand Master, Fra’ Matthew Festing, the Council Complete of State of 29 April 2017 elected him Lieutenant of the Grand Master for a year. In the subsequent Council Complete of State of 2 May 2018 he was elected 80th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

A man of great spirituality and human warmth, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto always personally assisted the disadvantaged, serving meals to rough sleepers in the Termini and Tiburtina railways stations in Rome. He participated in numerous Order of Malta international pilgrimages to Lourdes and national ones to Loreto and Assisi. He showed great joy in taking part in the Order’s international summer camps for young disabled people where he was greeted with great affection by the young volunteers and guests.

As Grand Master, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre carried out numerous official and state journeys. Only last January he made a state visit to Benin and in July last to Cameroon. More recently, he travelled to Germany, Slovenia and Bulgaria for meetings with their respective authorities. During these journeys he always made a point of visiting the Order’s social-health facilities to greet personally both the staff and the patients.

A marked humanity and a profound dedication to charitable works have always inspired the 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, who will be remembered by all who knew him for his human qualities and his cordial and affectionate manner.

He always carried Lebanon in his heart and prayers following his visit back in 2017. The 80th Grand Master will remain an inspiration to the members of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, and in the hearts of all those who knew him.

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and despite the containment measures, the Order of Malta Lebanon continues its humanitarian action towards the needy and multiplies its health care activities, in compliance with the WHO protection recommendations and the Ministry of Health.

Like a banner of hope, the cross of the Order of Malta, in its red shield that can be identified for kilometers, criss-crosses the roads of Lebanese territory to its most remote regions, through thick and thin, to reach the more suffering and provide them with essential support in these troubled times. 

Indeed, despite the measures of containment imposed on the population, the Order of Malta – true to its motto “I ask not about your race, color or religion, but tell me what your suffering is” – continues its humanitarian action, without any distinction, towards the most disadvantaged, and there are many, especially following the economic and health crises that the country is undergoing. 

For although the coronavirus is currently the n° 1 enemy to fight, the other diseases are not to be outdone, and it is essential, today more than ever, to provide the necessary health care to the sick, especially those suffering from chronic diseases.

Free MMU services 

In order to manage the 120 patients or so that each Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) receives daily, the healthcare teams have set up a filtering system at the entrance to the MMU, to categorize them according to their requests. Those who come to get their supplies from the pharmacy receive their lot of drugs outside the MMU. Only cases that require a consultation enter the medical unit, after having followed the full procedure of taking temperature, disinfection and wearing a mask and gloves. To date, no case of Covid-19 has yet been detected; if this were the case, it would be referred to the competent authorities. 

Endless misery has increased the number of needy people who come to be treated in the MMUs. Saleh, 42 years, father of 3 children, from Jabbouleh (Beqaa), relates: “From the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, I found myself unemployed. I can no longer pay my rent or the pharmacy bill… I can hardly feed my children. This situation is catastrophic, it is suffocating us…” His voice breaks, he is on the verge of tears. But he continues: “We are extremely grateful to the Order of Malta for ensuring, through its MMU, the medicines we need”. 

Rawia, 39, lives with her diabetic mother, and suffers from high blood pressure herself. “I used to work in a restaurant”, she says, “but the situation has gradually deteriorated, and I have been out of work since last fall. My mother and I are forced to live on people’s charity. Thank God, the Order of Malta graciously provides us with much of the medicine we need”.

In parallel and in a concern for communicating vital information, since the beginning of the pandemic, the staff of the MMUs, during their travels, take the opportunity to conduct awareness and education campaigns among the most indigent populations, and therefore the less informed.

Community Health Centers and teleconsultations 

The action of the Order of Malta also radiates thanks to its 10 Community Health Centers scattered throughout the Lebanese territory, and which continue to provide the main medical services (general medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, gynecology) as well as medical follow-up and the supply of medicines for patients suffering from chronic diseases, through a pharmacy that is operating at full capacity. Only paramedical activities and dentistry services were suspended.

In order to be able to proceed with the consultations in compliance with the instructions for social distancing, a hotline has been set up in each of the centers, facilitating the contact between patients and doctors and even encouraging, when the case allows it, teleconsultations.

To receive patients, the centers have also adopted the necessary measures through collective discipline and strict application of protection instructions, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health, to which the Order of Malta Lebanon is bound by an agreement signed with the Lebanese Republic. These instructions include hygiene measures, the patient reception protocol, what to do if the patient shows clinical signs, disinfection of work surfaces, premises and vehicles, and finally a rotation to ensure a permanence grouping the fewer people possible within the centers.

Maintain human contact

The Day Care Centers for the elderly have had to close their doors as a precautionary measure, to protect our seniors, who are particularly fragile during this pandemic period. However, contact is maintained with everyone, and home visits are made regularly to those who are sick, especially if they live in remote areas.

This human contact, so vilified in these times of confinement, nevertheless remains the key element of the action of the Order of Malta. As one of the doctors said, “Our mission today is more essential than ever, and no virus will prevent us from pursuing it with the most vulnerable among us”. A special tribute must be paid, once again, to the nursing staff who, braving the danger of contamination and beyond the protective armor and the thousand and one precautions to be taken, continues to transmit, through each gesture and each care given, love and comfort, universal medicines both for the body and the soul.

This article was published in L’Orient-Le Jour, April 10, 2020.

Dear confreres and consoeurs, dear professionals, volunteers and supporters of the Order of Malta around the world,

In this unprecedented moment that is uniting over 150 nations worldwide in facing the same grave challenges, my most profound gratitude goes to the Order of Malta’s Associations, volunteers and relief corps who have been contributing in supporting the national health systems in several of the countries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our medical staff and volunteers are providing assistance to the elderly who are forced to quarantine at home, by regularly delivering food and medicines, and health teams are deployed to administer tests to the population and to manage some mobile medical units which are equipped to handle the virus, strictly following the sanitary guidelines. Their indefatigable dedication is witness to the Christian message and faith which underlies all the charitable activities of the Order of Malta.

I also wish to express my deepest appreciation to all those medical professionals who – since the onset of the virus – have been working round the clock to assist people affected by this disease.

Every day we read in the news distressing reports on the condition of the people who’ve been hospitalized, many in intensive care, some incubated. We must pray for the Malades who, by experiencing isolation, suffer this loneliness the most. Our thoughts also go out to their families: being denied from attending or even saying goodbye to your loved ones is a pain nobody should endure, and I wish to express my sympathy to all those people living this dreadful condition. To them and to all the doctors, nurses, health workers go my prayers and my full and wholehearted gratitude.

With deep regret, it was decided to cancel the 62nd Order of Malta’s International Pilgrimage to Lourdes, one of the most significant moments in the life of the members and volunteers of the Order of Malta. This decision was a very painful one.

Given the rapidly worsening of the situation in France, for the first time in over 160 years the Marian sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes has been closed to the public. It is my hope that many members and volunteers will be able to reunite for the pilgrimage to the Holy Land programmed next November, on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the death of Blessed Gerard, our founder, trusting that the world will have by then turned this dramatic page in history.

With its over 900 years of Hospitaller tradition in assisting the poor and the sick, the Order of Malta remains close to those in need and those who are suffering in this terrible moment and will continue reaching out to whoever is in need. I would like to recall Pope Francis’ words just a few days ago: “United to Christ, we are never alone”, and I renew the appeal of the Pontiff to ask everyone “to pray for the elderly who are suffering, in a particular way from interior solitude”.

I wish you all a blessed lent,

Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto