News

Beirut, Lebanon — In a significant move to bolster social welfare efforts across Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs and the Order of Malta Lebanon have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today. The agreement, which was formalized at the Ministry, marks a renewed commitment to addressing critical social issues affecting the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Mr. Hector Hajjar, Minister of Social Affairs, and Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta. This new accord builds upon the longstanding cooperation agreement established in 2009 between the Government of the Lebanese Republic and the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The enhanced partnership aims to improve services for marginalized groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, underprivileged children, and those living in extreme poverty, particularly in remote and underserved regions of Lebanon. By pooling resources and expertise, the Ministry and the Order of Malta Lebanon intend to implement impactful programs that will serve communities throughout the country.

Speaking after the signing, Minister Hajjar emphasized his confidence in the Order of Malta Lebanon as a neutral, impartial, and apolitical organization. He highlighted the Order’s unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity of every individual in need, regardless of race, color, or religion. This MoU signifies a joint effort to complement each other’s initiatives, enhancing productivity and effectiveness in delivering aid to those who need it most. Both parties are determined to identify the most efficient mechanisms and methods to reach and assist the targeted groups, ensuring that the collaboration yields tangible results in improving the lives of Lebanon’s most disadvantaged citizens.

The Order of Malta Lebanon (OML), with the support of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, is preparing to launch a food aid project, an initiative which aims to respond to the urgent needs arising from the successive crises that are occurring in Lebanon, which has seriously exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition in the country.

This agreement was jointly signed by His Excellency Mr. Hervé Magro, French Ambassador to Lebanon, and Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of Knights of Malta, in the presence of Mr. Henry Simonin, political advisor of the French Embassy, and François Abisaab, charge d’affaires of the embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Lebanon.

This project, which will begin in September 2024 for a period of sixteen months, aims, through a holistic approach, to address the causes and consequences of malnutrition and food insecurity in Lebanon, while strengthening the capacity of affected communities to face future crises.

This project will target a wide range of the population, with more than 15,420 direct services beneficiaries and 19,240 indirect beneficiaries.

This initiative will extend to all regions of Lebanon, with particular emphasis on the areas most affected by the crisis, notably the North, Bekaa, Beirut, Mount Lebanon and the South, based on three main areas of intervention:

Food aid: distribution of hot meals, breakfasts and snacks through the three mobile community kitchens (the  Sharing Wheel) of OML in schools and disadvantaged areas in the North, South, Beirut, Mount Lebanon and Bekaa, targeting vulnerable people and providing school meals in public and semi-private schools.

The fight against malnutrition: awareness sessions related to nutrition will be carried out through the OML network, with distributions of nutrition kits and specialized kits, accompanied by a screening service, medical and nutritional monitoring for pregnant or breastfeeding women as well as children aged 1,000 days and above.

Support for local agriculture: the project will also focus on supporting small farmers in the most affected communities, by distributing agroecological kits to them, providing them with regular technical support and offering them training sessions. This component also aims to support five municipalities in watershed management through agroforestry initiatives, thus contributing to environmental protection and long-term food security.

Ambassador Hervé Magro underlined the importance of this project, implemented in conjunction with the national strategies of the related ministries, to enable the most vulnerable to have a dignified life during this period of successive crises and to guarantee them a better autonomy.

Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, for his part, expressed his gratitude for France’s support through this project which comes at a time of great uncertainty for the country, and which brings its share of hope to the population throughout the Lebanese territory, in these increasingly difficult times.

This collaboration between OML and France reflects the crucial importance of a humanitarian response in Lebanon that also lays the foundations for sustainable development and resilience in the face of future crises.

The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, known as the “Order of Malta Lebanon”, celebrated its National Day and the Feast of its Patron, Saint John the Baptist with a Holy Mass presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Francis, following the invitation of the President of the Lebanese Association Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, with the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon, H.E. Mrs. Maria Emerica Cortese.

Participating in the mass were Vice Speaker Elias Bou Saab representing House Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari representing Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and a number of current and former ministers, their Excellencies former Presidents Amin Gemayel and Michel Suleiman, Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, representatives of heads of the security forces, the patriarchs of the Christian communities, a number of current and former deputies alongside representatives of the diplomatic corps.

After the Mass, His Eminence Cardinal Parolin addressed with a final message, saying “let us remain united in prayer, in service to the most deprived, through our Christian life”.

President Sehnaoui also commented of the Cardinal presence, commenting the importance of the visit and saying:  “The Order of Malta Lebanon serves the poor, the sick, the differently abled, the elderly, but above all, it serves Lebanon”

After the Mass, the reception was attended by Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Khatib representing the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, accompanied by Sheikh Dr. Imad Kanawati, the Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council was represented by Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Shoukair, and Sheikh Sami Abdel Khalek, representing the Sheikh Akl of the Unitarian Druze Community accompanied by Sheikh Hassan Halawi and Mr. Samir Halawi, also Messrs. Louay and Qusay Sharaf al-Din representing the Imam Sadr Foundation.

The beautiful NDU choir, led by RF Khalil Rahme, offered an unforgettable moment of elevation and hope.

The Order of Malta Lebanon launched its Agro-Humanitarian program during a ceremony held at the Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA), in the presence of Mr. Abbas Hajj Hassan, Minister of Agriculture, representing Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Mr. Walid Nassar, Minister of Tourism, representing Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Former Prime Minister Tammam Salam, His Beatitude and Eminence Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rai, Mr. Youssef Khalil, Minister of Finance, Mr. Hector Hajjar, Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Georges Bouchikian, Minister of Industry, Sheikh Dr. Mahmoud Al-Khatib, Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Sami Abdel Khalek, representing the Sheikh Akl of the Unitarian Druze Community, the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Monsignor Paolo Borgia, the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon Mrs. Maria-Emerica Cortese, Unifil Italian Joint Task Force Commander General Fontana, Commander in Chief at the Lebanese Armed Forces Major General Hassan Aoude representing the Army Commander, Colonel Mazen Sakr representing the General Security General Director, Brigadier General Henry Mansoury representing the ISF’s General Director, in addition to the Members of Parliament Marwan Hamadeh, Ragy El-Saad, Wael Bou Faour, Nehmat Frem, Former Minister Ziad Baroud, Head of the Lebanese Catholic Media Center Father Abdo Abou Kassem and Mrs. Rabab Al-Sadr.

At its core, the Agro-Humanitarian project is a testament to the dedication of the Order of Malta Lebanon (OML) to ensuring food security, fostering economic recovery, and empowering smallholder farmers, women, and youth. By taking a holistic approach to resilience-building, the OML aims to equip communities with the tools and resources needed to withstand and recover from adverse shocks effectively.

On this occasion, the President of the Order of Malta Lebanon Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui took the floor and stated: “It is an honor for me to stand before you today to launch the Agro-Humanitarian Program of the Order of Malta Lebanon on a national scale. As we embark on this new chapter in our organization’s history, it is essential to highlight our long-term commitment to enhancing health and social welfare, which have been fundamental to our mission for decades. In fact, over 70 years ago, the Order of Malta Lebanon was a pioneer in providing primary healthcare services and social support to everyone across Lebanese territory.”

Mr. Sehnaoui added: “Our steadfast commitment to defending the principles of dignity, hope, coexistence, and compassion, with dedication, humility, transparency, and excellence, has guided our actions and efforts. However, in light of the increasing challenges faced by our society every day, we felt an urgent need to expand the scope of our work to cover more than just our traditional missions related to health and community.”

Finally, he acknowledged the efforts of all partners and donors, who were later on thanked during this event.

The patriarch then took the floor, expressing his gratitude to the Order of Malta Lebanon and reflecting on four dimensions of the project, namely: spirituality, upholding our roots, preserving the land that is a national heritage, and agro-humanitarian development.

He also conveyed heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, to the Sovereign Order of Malta for their assistance to Lebanon through their national association, in various Lebanese regions.

Following that, the representative of the Sheikh Akl of the Unitarian Druze Community Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, Sheikh Sami Abdel Khalek, speaking on behalf of the three Muslim cmmunities, praised the Order’s work in serving humanity within Lebanon’s culturally rich society, strengthening people’s ties to their land and supporting food security, which will bring the Lebanese people back to their lands. He also thanked the Order for launching initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of the resilient and persevering Lebanese population.

After the screening of a documentary showcasing the journey of the Agro-Humanitarian program, a moderated Q&A session by Mr. Yasser Akkaoui, editor in chief of Executive magazine, provided attendees with the opportunity for an in-depth learning about the program from Mr. Raphael Debbané, Chairman of the Agro-Humanitarian board, and Dr. Elias Ghadban, Advisor and member of the board, illustrating OML’s unwavering commitment to supporting local agriculture and fostering peace and solidarity within communities and on the long run, influencing public policy.

In recognition of their invaluable contributions for Lebanon’s prosperity, OML expressed gratitude to its partners, who put their lands at the service of OML for a period of 20 years, these include the Order of the Carmelite Fathers, the Lebanese Maronite Order, the Jesuits, the National Litani River Authority, the Mariamite Maronite Order, and Mr. Fady Romanos.

This program is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ in collaboration with Malteser International, and Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller.

Minister of Agriculture Mr. Abbas Hajj Hassan stated: “We congratulate the Order on the launch of the Agro-Humanitarian program. Connecting the people to their lands is a gift from God. We value all the efforts that were exerted, and hope this program is the start of a sustainable partnership for an agricultural renewal that revives people and their lands.”

The closing speech of His Excellency Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, delivered by ambassador Maria-Emerica Cortese, highlighted the organization’s commitment to placing agriculture at the forefront of its vision for 2030, thanking the OML for its commitment to the 970-year-old mission of the sovereign Order of Malta in this region and the donors and partners who are supporting their work.

In the face of numerous challenges over the past four years, the Order of Malta Lebanon has found unwavering support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Committed to sustainable programs, the BMZ has played a pivotal role in aiding vulnerable populations in Lebanon since the start of the crisis.

During their very brief visit to Lebanon, Mr. Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary, Ms. Annette Chammas, Head of the “Middle East II” Division and their delegation from the BMZ and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lebanon, were warmly welcomed at the Order of Malta Lebanon’s St. John the Baptist Center in Ain El Remmaneh.

They were received by Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (also known as the Order of Malta Lebanon), Mr. François Abi Saab, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon , Mr. Rüdiger Krüse, former member of the German parliament and currently Chargé de Mission “Ahead” for the Order of Malta Lebanon, as well as members of the association’s executive board, teams from the headquarters and the center.

This visit underscored the shared philosophy of both institutions, which is to provide essential services during an extraordinary crisis, transcending political and religious affiliations of vulnerable people.

The support from the BMZ has been instrumental in helping the Order of Malta Lebanon navigate one of the most severe economic and financial crises that have affected the country and all of its social components. This assistance has not only enhanced the organization’s services but has also expanded its outreach to the most vulnerable individuals, with no distinction, across all the Lebanese territory.

The BMZ’s support to the Order of Malta Lebanon, through its partner Malteser International, has been focused on rebuilding and strengthening the structures of the Community Health Centers offering primary healthcare services. It has also contributed to the expansion of medical services adding secondary and tertiary referrals, the systematization and quality improvement of these services, as well as support for social assistance activities, particularly for the most marginalized individuals in society suffering from mental and/or physical disabilities.

Moreover, two Mobile Community Kitchens, known as “The Sharing Wheel” have been launched to address the wave of malnutrition affecting mostly children and the elderly.

During his address, Mr. Annen highlighted the Agro-Humanitarian Pillar, launched by the Order of Malta Lebanon and actively supported, among others, by the BMZ. He expressed his admiration for the nationwide deployment of the Agro-Humanitarian Centers to support small and medium-sized farmers, aligning humanitarian efforts with sustainable agricultural development.

This multifaceted approach contributes significantly to the overall well-being and resilience of communities, laying the groundwork of a new approach to health and agriculture, to better, and sustainably serve the hard-hit population of Lebanon, thus, becoming a new source of hope.

Hôtel-Dieu de France organized a ceremony to celebrate the acquisition of two state-of-the-art medical equipment: an MRI machine and a neurosurgery microscope. Following a proposal submitted by the Medical Board Chairman of the Order of Malta Lebanon, Professor Bechara Asmar, “Malte-Liban” association, based in France and dedicated to supporting the initiatives of the Order of Malta Lebanon, facilitated the purchase of these two new machines for Hôtel-Dieu de France. In return, HDF provided a line of credit to partially fund hospital care within its network for the most disadvantaged patients referred by the centers of the Order of Malta Lebanon, over a four-year period, according to an agreed operating protocol.

The ceremony was attended by the Reverend Father, Rector Salim Daccahe, S.J., Chairman of the Board of Directors of HDF, President of the French Association “Malte-Liban” Mr. Albert Kfoury, President of the Order of Malta Lebanon Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, Mr. Pierre Anhoury, representing the Ministry of Public Health, as well as representatives from the French Embassy and the Order of Malta. Also in attendance were representatives from the companies GME and Benta, members of the Board of Directors of Hôtel-Dieu de France, the Strategic Council of USJ, and HDF directors and heads of departments.

Mr. Nassib Nasr, General Director of the USJ-HDF hospital network, commenced the ceremony with expressing his deep gratitude to the “Malte-Liban”  association for their generosity and unwavering support. He affirmed that this medical equipment are not just instruments but also symbols of hope, perseverance, and solidarity.

Several individuals spoke during the ceremony. Mr. Albert Kfoury emphasized that more than a thousand patients referred by the Order of Malta Lebanon have benefited from this cooperation, accessing free hospital care. He expressed profound gratitude to the donors and praised the remarkable cooperation that has been established.

Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui stated that thanks to God and shared values, “our two hands applaud together, and we will prevent the despair of the people and the death of Lebanon.”

The Reverend Father Rector Salim Daccache S.J. shared his immense joy in experiencing this day together, not only because they received two highly important pieces of equipment but also because there are patients who will benefit from the medical team’s care at HDF. The ceremony concluded with a presentation from the Radiology Department, highlighting the significance of the offered machines and the department’s history. Guests then had the opportunity to visit the MRI room, where they could get a close look at this state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring superior medical care for patients. A reception was subsequently held to celebrate this occasion.

The President of the Order of Malta Lebanon, Marwan Sehnaoui, welcomed the Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis who spent a week in Lebanon, witnessing the works of the Order of Malta Lebanon across the country, in healthcare, social care and agro-humanitarian.

As the minister of Humanitarian Action and International Cooperation, the Grand Hospitaller’s responsibilities also include the office of Minister of Health and Social Affairs. It is in that realm that he paid courtesy visits to Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the Minister of Public Health Firas Abiad and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Jospeh Aoun, all of whom the Order of Malta Lebanon collaborates closely.

After 70 years of presence throughout the country, and currently, with more than 60 projects and programs to support the most vulnerable communities, with the best quality of services and without distinction, the Order of Malta Lebanon has proven to be an agent of peace and coexistence. 

When you put your heart into what you do, magic happens! How about 7 hearts beating as one?

Chef Jihane Dagher Hayeck, Chef Leyla Fathallah, Chef Hassan Abdallah, Chef Balkis Othman, Mrs. Carmen Hajjar, Mrs Dayana Hannouche, and Mr. Ziad Lahoud came together for a wonderful cause: spreading joy & laughter among differently-abled guests at the Order of Malta Lebanon center in Kfardebian during the Spanish Volunteers’ Camp.

Great chefs, greater hearts, and an unforgettable experience!

Rome, 3 May 2023 – Fra’ John Dunlap has been elected Prince and 81^st Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta. Lieutenant of the Grand Master at the moment of his election, 66-year-old Fra’ John Dunlap, a Canadian, is the first Professed Knight from overseas to be elected as head of the Order of Malta. 

The Council Complete of State, the elective body, met in Rome in the Magistral Villa, one of the two institutional seats of the Order of Malta, and elected him by an absolute majority of votes, on the basis of a binding list of three candidates indicated yesterday by the Chapter of Professed. There were 99 voters from 18 different countries.

Fra’ John Dunlap communicated his election to Pope Francis with a letter written in his own hand. He will be sworn in today at 6.30 pm in the presence of Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi c.s., the Pope’s Special Delegate, in the Church of St. Mary on the Aventine, thus entering into the fullness of his powers. According to Article 13 of the new Constitution, he will remain in office for 10 years. The Grand Master is the head of the Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Catholic Church and at the same time a subject of international law.

The new Grand Master, addressing the members of the Council Complete of State, said: “I accept this office with a profound spirit of service and with the solemn promise of a constant commitment. I thank each of you for having placed your trust in me and for having shown your great love for, and dedication to, our Order by your presence here today. There are many challenges that await us, but united in the awareness of our mission of Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum (witnessing the faith, helping the poor), I am sure that we will be able to face them together united and cohesively, in the same spirit that guided Blessed Gerard, founder of the Order over 900 years ago.” 

Profile of Grand Master

Born in Ottawa, Canada, on 16 April 1957, after studying in Nice University, John Dunlap graduated from the University of Ottawa and then obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Western Ontario. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Public Service by John Cabot University in Rome. 

Fra’ John Dunlap is a member of the New York State Bar and the Ontario Bar Association in Canada. In 1986, he joined the New York legal firm Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller in New York City, becoming a partner in 1993. He specializes in corporate and immigration law. An internationally respected lawyer, since 1997 he has been legal adviser to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations.

Fra’ John Dunlap approached the Order of Malta and found his religious vocation in the mid-1980s during his volunteer work with patients suffering from AIDS and other diseases at the Cardinal Cooke Medical Center in Harlem (New York). He has volunteered in that hospital every week for the past 30 years. 

Admitted to the Order of Malta in 1996, he took his solemn vows as a Professed Knight in 2008. For over a decade he has served the Order of Malta as Chairman of the Committee for the Protection of Names and Emblems and Representative to the Alliance of the Orders of St John.

In 2009 Fra’ John Dunlap was elected for a five-year term as a member of the Sovereign Council. He was re-elected for another five-year term by the Chapter General in 2014 and 2019. He has led the Order of Malta as Lieutenant of the Grand Master since June 2022, following the death of Fra’ Marco Luzzago.

The Grand Master

According to Article 12 of the Constitution, the Grand Master is the head of the Order and is entitled to sovereign prerogatives and honours as well as the title of Most Eminent Highness. He must devote himself fully to the growth of the Order’s works and serve as an example of authentic Christian life for all members (art. 106 of the Code).

The Grand Master, together with the Sovereign Council, is responsible for issuing legislative measures not provided for by the Constitutional Charter, promulgating government acts and ratifying international agreements. He administers, through the Receiver of the Common Treasure, the Order’s assets and convenes the Chapter of Professed and the Chapter General.

The States with which the Order of Malta has diplomatic relations recognise the Grand Master with the prerogatives, immunities and honours reserved for Heads of State.

The Grand Master resides at the Order of Malta’s government seat, the Magistral Palace in Rome.

Within the framework of constantly striving to serve the most vulnerable, we are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement between the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, also known as “Order of Malta Lebanon” (OML) and Hôtel-Dieu de France.

The Order of Malta Lebanon was represented by Mr. Patrick Jabre, Director General, Professor Bechara Asmar, Medical Board Chairman, in the presence of our partner based in France, “Malte-Liban Association”, represented by its President, Mr. Albert Kfouri, and Hôtel-Dieu de France was represented by Mr. Nassib Nasr, Director General of HDF.

On one hand, Malte-Liban Association facilitated the purchase of two new machines for Hôtel-Dieu de France, namely an MRI and a neurosurgical microscope. On the other hand, HDF will be responsible for setting up a line of credit, which will be used, over a period of four years, to partially finance hospital care for the most vulnerable patients referred by OML. In accordance with the agreed operating protocol, this line of credit will be dedicated to the referral of patients to HDF and/or the hospitals of the USJ-HDF network that will be initiated by the Order of Malta Lebanon.  Hand in hand we will continue to serve the needs of the most vulnerable with the best quality of services