Under the coordination of Malteser International, the Order of Malta is continuing to provide relief to the Ukrainian population distributing medical equipment, food, hygiene kits and ensuring psycho-social support in Ukraine and in the surrounding countries. Only within Ukraine the relief operations have reached 49 cities, including many currently under siege such as Odessa, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Mariupol, Porkovsk, Zaporizhzhia. Sadly, premises of the Order of Malta – plus a van and a mobile kitchen – have been destroyed by the missile attacks in the Mariupol siege. Medical equipment and supplies were also lost in the blasts.
Many associations of the Order of Malta are on the front line to respond to the basic needs of the population. According to the latest figures 7.7 million people are displaced internally and some 5 million have crossed the border and have entered neighbouring countries.
The Ukrainian relief corps of the Order of Malta delivers continuous support mainly within the health and food and nutrition security field. Mental health support is provided both in Eastern and Western Ukraine and in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk shelter is provided.
Over 2.300 tons of aid material (clothes, blankets, hygiene and medical equipment, food tents, field kitchen camp, beds and other equipment) have been delivered so far to Ukraine and neighbouring countries by the Order of Malta Germany which has assisted some 260.000 wounded and sick refugees providing transport and shelter.
Numerous Grand Priories, Associations and volunteer corps of the Order of Malta in other European countries have contributed to the collection of goods and their transport, as well as raising funds.
Ordre de Malte France has also organised the collection and transport of 3.3 tons of aid goods to hospitals in Kyiv and Lviv, with more to follow in Kharkiv and Khmelnytsky.
The Order of Malta in Hungary is widening its relief operations reach with hotspotsin Beregsurány, Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc and Győr, and is managing warehouses and donation collection points across the country.
The Polish association is assisting the many refugees crossing the border and providing medical and logistic support as well as accommodation. Medical teams from the Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta have also joined the Polish association.
Most activities are supported by the Order of Malta’s diplomatic network including the transportation of goods from the Order of Malta in Romania into Ukraine and the provision of temporary shelters in many countries neighbouring Ukraine.
Many associations, from the US to Asia, have also been supporting the relief operations by means of fundraising campaigns and generous donations by its members.
