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Severe floods in Pakistan: Malteser International active in mobile clinics caring for more than 1000 patients per day The 3 teams of Malteser International, the relief service of the Order of Malta for humanitarian aid, working in the Swat valley are caring for more than 1,000 patients each day. In addition to the Health Units, a fourth team fends for hurt and ill people in mobile clinics set up in a different village every day. The situation remains critical as it continues to rain and the first cholera case has been confirmed this week. Hunger and diseases are the foremost dangers with the flood now ceding slowly. In the southern provinces, the high point of the flood is yet to come. Women and children are particularly affected. 'Above all, people suffer from watery diarrhoea and skin diseases.' reports Dr.Juergen Clemens, Senior Desk Officer Pakistan of Malteser International. Meanwhile Malteser International provide 1,000 families with safe storage of drinking water, particularly vital in areas of prior diseases occurrance. Furthermore, children vaccinations against measles and tetanus are a high priority, closely working together with the Pakistani government, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other organizations. Online donations to Malteser International 'Pakistan' HERE

The Order

The Order was founded before the taking of Jerusalem in 1099 by the armies of the First Crusade and began as a monastic community, dedicated to St John the Baptist. At that time, members of the Order administered a hospice-infirmary for pilgrims to the Holy Land, and its members were drawn from the nobility of Europe.

Reflecting phases of its history, the Order became known over time as the "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta", now abbreviated to "The Order of Malta", or "SMOM".

The Order of Malta is unique in being at the same time a lay religious Order of the Catholic Church, an Order of Chivalry, and a Sovereign State with diplomatic relations with 96 nation states, and Permanent Observer status at the United Nations and other international agencies. There are 12 Grand Priories and Sub-Priories as well as 47 National Associations, with a total membership of 12,500 worldwide. In as many ways as it has members, the Order of Malta draws upon and challenges the fullest capacities of its active members, encourages their application to the service of the poor and sick, (referred to in the Order as "Our Lords the Sick"), and to living ever more fully the values of the Catholic Faith. MORE

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, has in excess of 225 members and aspirant members. Branches are organised in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and a growing presence in Western Australia. It has ongoing and strong links with the Order's Association in Singapore and with members of the Order in New Zealand.

The President of the Australian Association is foundation co-chair of the International Association of Catholic Bioethicists, directed and co-sponsored by the Canadian Association of the Order of Malta. It supports Catholic positions in bioethics and opposition to campaigns to promote abortion, euthanasia and the harvesting of human embryos.

Hospitaller Activities

Individual members of the Australian Association are active in the United States, the United Kingdom and in Thailand as well as in Australia. The Hospitaller work is diverse and includes hospital administration, palliative care, diocesan administration, care for disabled adults and children and supplementing the education of migrant children. MORE

The Australian Association supports a variety of Hospitaller activities in Oceania, and is a foundation member of Malteser International. MORE

Pilgrimages

The Australian Association actively participates in the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, a world-wide event usually in the first weekend of May. For those Australians unable to make the journey to Lourdes, a Lourdes Day Mass is organised locally by the Order.

Spiritual Activities

The Order emphasises the development of the spirituality of its members who come together each year to celebrate the Feast of St John the Baptist, and hold a Memorial Mass for deceased members. Annual spiritual retreats are organised and a magnificent Investiture Mass is held at least every two years during the National Assembly.

International Activities

The Australian Association contributes three Ambassadors to further the works of the Order of Malta in Asia. These Ambassadors act under the direction of the Grand Chancellor, representing the Order in diplomatic relations with the Nation States of the Region.

The Order fosters fraternal links with the Venerable Order of St John, granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1888.