70 Years of the Malteser Foreign Aid Department

For 70 years, the Malteser Foreign Aid Department has connected people, organizations, and ideas across national borders. What began in 1956 with humanitarian aid and the first international relief operations has developed into a strong network of long-term partnerships. Support became cooperation, and individual projects evolved into resilient relationships that continue to shape the international Malteser network to this day.

The requirements for international cooperation have continually changed over time. In addition to humanitarian assistance, the focus today is primarily on shared learning, organizational development, volunteer engagement, crisis preparedness, and cross-border cooperation. Together with its partner organizations, the Foreign Aid Department develops capacities, structures, and networks to address current and future challenges.

Milestones

The history of the Foreign Aid Department is also a story of transformation: relief missions became long-term partnerships. Support evolved into shared learning, mutual responsibility, and international cooperation among equals.

By supporting Hungarian refugees at the Hungarian-Austrian border following the popular uprising, the Maltesers provided assistance beyond national borders for the first time.

This mission marked the beginning of the Maltesers' international work and laid the foundation for what would later become the Foreign Aid Department.

The Maltesers became involved in providing medical care during the Vietnam War and gained valuable experience in responding to complex humanitarian crises.

International assistance became a permanent component of the Maltesers' commitment.

In response to the political and economic crisis, the Maltesers provided extensive support through church networks.

Cooperation with partners in Central and Eastern Europe gained increasing importance.

The political changes in Central and Eastern Europe opened up new opportunities for cooperation and networking.

The focus increasingly shifted from supporting individual projects to building lasting partnerships.

In many countries, Malteser organizations were established or expanded, supported through technical assistance and long-term cooperation.

The focus increasingly centered on organizational development and sustainable capacity building.

Cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe was further developed and an international Malteser network was systematically expanded.

Joint projects, professional exchange, and cross-border cooperation moved to the forefront.

The Foreign Aid Department was strengthened as an independent voluntary specialized service within Malteser Hilfsdienst.

This permanently anchored international partnership work and global engagement within the organization. The Foreign Aid Department established itself as an important hub of international partnerships.

The COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, and other crises demonstrated the importance of resilient networks and cross-border cooperation.

The Foreign Aid Department strengthened the exchange of knowledge, experience, and expertise within the international Malteser network.

The Foreign Aid Department connects partner organizations, volunteers, and specialized services across national borders.

It promotes international learning, supports organizational development, and strengthens the crisis resilience of the Malteser network through long-term partnerships and shared responsibility.

Today, the Foreign Aid Department is the hub of the German Maltesers' international partnership work. It connects partner organizations, volunteers, and specialized services across national borders, promotes mutual learning, supports organizational development, and strengthens crisis resilience within the international Malteser network through long-term partnerships.

Seventy years of the Foreign Aid Department stand for lived solidarity, trusted partnerships, and the commitment of many volunteers. At the same time, this anniversary is an opportunity to look ahead.

In the future, the Foreign Aid Department will continue to strengthen and further develop international cooperation within the Malteser network. The focus will be on:

• Strengthening the international network as well as long-term partnerships and networks
• Promoting crisis resilience through knowledge transfer, joint preparedness, and cooperation
• Expanding international engagement and exchange opportunities for volunteers
• Supporting organizational development and mutual learning within the Malteser network
• Fostering connections between professional expertise, innovation, and international cooperation

Together, the Maltesers are shaping a future in which partnerships among equals, mutual learning, and international solidarity form the foundation of a strong and resilient Malteser network.