Order of Malta of Monaco: aid without borders
For nearly fifty years, the Monegasque Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta has supported large-scale humanitarian projects in the Principality and around the world.
” An international message to human beings. Here, in essence, comment Jean Kerwat, Knight of the Order of Malta since 2005, and President since 2017, we summarize the mission of the Association, which, since its creation in 1974, supports humanitarian actions around the world .
Counting among its illustrious members Prince Albert II and Mgr Dominique-Marie David, the Order of Malta of Monaco works in close collaboration with the Order of Malta International, one of the oldest and most historic humanitarian associations in the world, since it was born in 1113!
Humanitarian actions around the world
” The activities of the Monegasque Association of the Order of Malta are multipleexplains the President. Since signing the agreement with the Monaco Cardio-Thoracic Center in 2011, about twenty children from underprivileged countries, mainly from Africa. We also cooperate with other institutions: we financed an electric car for the Maison d’Amélie of Monaco Disease Power, a vehicle for the Order of Malta’s first aiders in Nice, who took part in the terrible attack of July 14… We support aid to migrants, in collaboration with the Diocese, and we have been present at alongside the mayors of Breil and Saint Martin Vésubie for the purchase of a pick-up and a quad to help with reconstruction after storm Alex… Each year the Association also organizes the collection for World Leprosy Day. [le 30 janvier Ndlr]. »
The Council of the Association also wishes to invest even more in this cause: ” this year, we decided to collaborate for an action in Mauritania, to help families of lepers to work in the field of commerce, and enable them to open their own shop.»
And for good reason: if leprosy infects an average of three million people in the world, Mauritania is one of the countries most affected by this disease, which causes serious consequences, both physical and social.
Of course, the war in Ukraine is also part of the priority emergency actions of the Order of Malta. In addition to the donations paid to the medical services present at the border and inside Ukrainian territory, the association presented a check to the town of Beausoleil, to help it finance the new reception center for refugees. Likewise, doves and chocolate eggs were distributed to the children staying there during the Easter celebrations.
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At the same time, Jean Kerwat is hopeful of multiplying the actions, which have been severely slowed down by the pandemic: “ the covid period has been terrible for everyone. The Order of Malta International has participated in the aid in each country where the associations are present, but the activities have been reduced. I think that by the end of the year, we will have new projects likely to participate. »
The Order of Malta helps people of all faiths, all nationalities, all backgrounds
Long-term support
” We are an association of only 33 memberscontinues Jean Kerwat. So we collaborate with the local authorities and the associations present in the field. On the other hand, I would like to point out that all the earmarked donations that the association receives are 100% for humanitarian actions. »
Donations that don’t want campaigns, “but from private donors and benefactors who respond whenever we need it. »
And once the projects are funded, there is no question for the Order of Malta to stop there. Indeed, Jean Kerwat invests alongside the Ladies and Knights of the Association: ” It is an enormous privilege to be part of the Order of Malta. It is also a big responsibility to be President of the association. We try to do our best to make it work well. The strength of the association is to feel that we are part of a global organization, which has 112 embassies around the world. (…) There are two aspects within the Order of Malta: the classical humanitarian aspect and the aspect of the Catholic faith. But the Order of Malta helps people of all faiths, of all nationalities, of all backgrounds. That’s what I find exciting. »
To discover the past and present actions of the Order of Malta of Monaco, just go to on the association’s website.