Sovereign Order Of Malta To Aid Gaza Reconstruction At Egypt's Invitation - Official

ST. PETERSBURG, Jan 4 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has agreed to participate in the future reconstruction of the Gaza Strip at Cairo’s invitation, focusing on humanitarian efforts and in coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent, the first counselor at the order’s mission in Egypt, Marc Innaro, told RIA Novosti.

The announcement came after a meeting in Cairo in November, where a delegation from the order, headed by its grand master and grand chancellor, met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb.

"We have been asked by the Egyptian government to be on board of the plan, the reconstruction plan, and especially the humanitarian plan. Its focus will be on the humanitarian aspect addressing the profound trauma and societal damage inflicted by the recent conflict," Innaro said, outlining the order's expected role.

Innaro emphasised that the effort would be collaborative.

“We have been asked, as the Sovereign Order of Malta, to coordinate our efforts together with the Red Crescent and United Nations humanitarian agencies,” he concluded.

The Catholic order, which is recognised under international law as a sovereign entity and has its headquarters in Rome, operates thousands of humanitarian projects in 120 countries, focusing on healthcare, disaster relief, and aid for refugees.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI