A large Order of Malta delegation will travel to Uganda and South Sudan to visit some of the projects of Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s international relief agency, in these two central African countries. Led by Grand Hospitaller Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, the delegation includes some presidents of Order of Malta associations and ambassadors, as well as Malteser International leaders.

The visit has an extremely rich programme from 16 to 23 November, first in Uganda and then in South Sudan. High-level meetings are scheduled with ministers and local authorities, as well as with the apostolic nuncio in Uganda. There will also be numerous visits to hospitals, medical centres, refugee reception communities and camps, where Malteser International operates, as well as schools, training centres and agriculture and fisheries development projects.

The Order of Malta is present in 35 African countries with health and social care, refugee assistance and sustainable development projects. Malteser International has been operating in Uganda and South Sudan since 1996 with vaccinations and treatment for diseases such as TB. In recent years the focus has been on WASH projects (water, sanitation and hygiene), environmental sustainability and refugee aid.