At this year’s ECOSOC Youth Forum, Ms. Theresa Bulfon, Diplomatic Trainee at Mission, delivered a heartfelt statement during the regional breakout session on the Caribbean, highlighting the Order’s continuing engagement in Haiti and the vital role of youth in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Reflecting on Haiti’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Ms. Bulfon acknowledged the country’s enduring spirit of resilience and self-determination. Yet she noted that today, Haiti remains gripped by instability, with armed gangs controlling large parts of Port-au-Prince and communities living in fear.

She noted that, despite these challenges, the Order of Malta, through its humanitarian arm Malteser International, has maintained its commitment to serving the Haitian people. Since the 2021 earthquake, the Order has worked with local partners to assist over 40,000 individuals, delivering psychosocial support in schools, equipping health stations, and helping more than 10,000 people—many of them women and youth—build sustainable livelihoods through agriculture and livestock programs.

“Sustainable development is impossible without youth at the center,” she affirmed. “We believe every young person deserves a life of opportunity, dignity, and hope.”

She also commended the efforts of security forces from Haiti, Kenya, and contributing countries working to restore peace and safety. Concluding her remarks, Ms. Bulfon reaffirmed the Order’s commitment to Haiti’s future—one rooted in the strength and resilience that have always defined its people.