On 8 April, during a session of the United Nations General Assembly’s Sixth Committee, held in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, Professor Benedetta Audia, Advisor to the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, delivered a statement under Cluster 5 on the “Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters”. The Sixth Committee serves as the UN General Assembly’s primary legal body, where Member States consider and develop international legal frameworks on issues ranging from humanitarian law to disaster response.

In her intervention, Professor Audia highlighted the growing urgency of strengthening international cooperation as disasters increase in both frequency and intensity. She emphasized that disasters disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, namely children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those living in fragile contexts, underscoring that humanitarian action must remain firmly grounded in the protection of human dignity. 

Drawing on the work of the International Law Commission, she reaffirmed the importance of the Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters as a foundation for clarifying States’ responsibilities and ensuring timely and effective humanitarian assistance.

A central theme of the statement was the increasing danger faced by humanitarian workers. Professor Audia pointed to alarming global data showing a sharp rise in attacks against aid personnel, stressing the urgent need to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of those delivering life-saving assistance. 

Speaking on behalf of the Sovereign Order of Malta, she underlined that disaster response is at the core of the Order’s mission. With a presence in over 120 countries, the Sovereign Order of Malta delivers medical care, emergency relief, and long-term recovery support through its global network, including Malteser International and national associations. From healthcare provision in Lebanon and Syria to food distribution and medical support in Gaza, and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, the Order’s work reflects a sustained commitment to both immediate response and long-term resilience.

Professor Audia further stressed the importance of strengthening local actors, including volunteers and civil society organizations, who are often the first to respond in times of crisis. She highlighted that effective disaster response must integrate emergency relief with long-term investment in health systems, infrastructure, and community resilience.

Addressing the evolving nature of disasters, she noted their increasing interconnectedness with broader global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and conflict. This reality, she argued, requires a holistic approach that bridges humanitarian action, development efforts, and disaster risk reduction.

In her concluding remarks, Professor Audia reaffirmed the Sovereign Order of Malta’s commitment to working alongside Member States and international partners to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. She emphasized that all efforts must remain anchored in the recognition of human dignity, ensuring that those affected by disasters are treated not merely as recipients of aid, but as individuals with rights, resilience, and the capacity to rebuild.