The Order of Malta participated in the 71st United Nations General Assembly, in September, in New York. H.E the Grand Hospitaller, Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, spoke at the High Level Meeting on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. In his address in the plenary session, the Grand Hospitaller made a strong plea: “We call for development programs which must cover extended time periods, complemented by emergency aid for immediate suffering. We call for adequate funding for the humanitarian and development fields. To respond to the challenge, the recommendations of the World Humanitarian Summit – on bridging the humanitarian-development gap – must be implemented”. With over 60 million people displaced around the world, the Grand Hospitaller emphasised the importance of including faith-based organizations and institutions when addressing the enormous humanitarian needs at stake. As the Grand Hospitaller noted “Religious-based organizations develop networks of support and solidarity, can be the liaison between diasporas and affected populations, and are often trusted by local communities”.
The 71st United Nations General Assembly, New York
