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Statement at the 13th GFMD Summit Side Event Beyond Recovery: A Post-COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response for Migrants and their Communities

Migrant Protection
28/01/2021

13th GFMD Summit Side Event

Beyond Recovery: A Post-COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response for Migrants and their Communities
18 January 2021 – 16:00 – 18:00 CET

Statement by Professor Michel Veuthey

Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Deputy Permanent Observer in Geneva

The Order of Malta with Malteser International is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic across its projects worldwide. We are improving infection prevention and control measures to protect communities and health workers, and prevent further spread of the new virus. Because vulnerable people are disproportionately affected in times of crisis, we are committed delivering the lifesaving aid people in need around the world rely on. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis — it’s a global crisis on every dimension.

 

The Order of Malta is present along the journey – in countries of origin, at the borders through which thousands pass, and in host countries and final destinations – assisting refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants in approximately 30 countries across the globe.
In various European countries, the Order of Malta is developing legal, psychosocial and medical assistance programs for migrants and asylum seekers. There are also specific courses to aid integration and knowledge of the local culture and language.

The Grand Chancellor of the Order recently expanded on the significant effort put in place by the many associations, relief, and volunteer corps of the Order of Malta in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic: “All services in direct contact with people had to be converted, such as meals for the homeless, care for migrants, or visiting services for old or disabled people at home. This presents us with major challenges everywhere. But it is gratifying to see how much imagination, commitment, and energy is being put into it”. Also, the Doctor to Doctor Initiative which was launched last Spring by the Order of Malta is proving an effective tool whereby doctors and health experts from different countries meet on an online platform to discuss medical research and finding in the treatment of COVID-19 and share best practices.