An agreement that will make a concrete contribution to the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip has been signed between the Czech Republic and the Sovereign Order of Malta at the Magistral Palace in Rome.

Under the agreement, Prague will donate 80,000 euro to the Order’s health, and humanitarian assistance project in Gaza, which take place in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Above all, the initiative aims to strengthen access to primary healthcare for the most vulnerable sections of the population, which have been hard hit by the consequences of the ongoing conflict.

The agreement was signed by the Czech Republic’s Ambassador to the Order of Malta, Pavel Svoboda, representing the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by Izabella Toth, Director of Business Control of Malteser International (MI) – the Order of Malta’s international relief agency – representing Raphael Vermeir, President of MI. The Order of Malta’s Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, participated in the ceremony.

Expressing deep gratitude to the Czech Republic for this donation, the Grand Chancellor defined this gesture of solidarity “as most timely and crucial also in view of the tragic situation on the ground in Gaza. The Order of Malta, founded in Jerusalem almost 1000 years ago, attaches a special importance to the Holy Land and to the peaceful coexistence of its people, as well as to preservation of the diversity of its cultural heritage, ethnic groups and religious faiths and denominations”.

The Order of Malta in Palestine

The Order of Malta’s most prominent humanitarian activity in Palestine is the aid project in Gaza City carried out through Malteser International in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Since May 2024, 200 tons of food have been delivered to a catchment population of over 25,000 civilians, and the opening of a healthcare point for the local community is planned.

This project complements the work of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, which has been providing high-quality mother and child care in the West Bank since 1990. The hospital is the only facility in the region that can handle premature births, thanks to an 18-bed neonatal intensive care unit. This makes it a point of reference for all pregnant women in the area, particularly those who need specialized care. With Muslim and Christian doctors, midwives, and nurses, the staff guarantees a service without distinctions of belief or social condition, offering assistance at reduced cost or completely free of charge.