On the 18th of October 2021, a presentation of the activity of the Order of Malta Italian Emergency Corps (CISOM) took place at Palazzo Borromeo, with the participation of the President of CISOM Gerardo Solaro del Borgo and of the National Director Giovanni Strazzullo.
On that occasion, the Ambassador of Italy, Pietro Sebastiani, awarded Dr. Strazzullo with the honor of Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy for the enormous importance of his work, for his commitment to help others (those most in need in particular) and the constant, fruitful cooperation with this Embassy and the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Explaining the reasons for this honor, Ambassador Sebastiani pointed out Dr Strazzullo’s great professionalism and selflessness, qualities that have been invaluable in response to many national and international emergencies, with particular reference to the complicated context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ambassador put a particular emphasis on the timeliness and effectiveness with which two Covid Hospitals have been built by CISOM in Lombardia and Marche. Those represent two operational model of emergencies management which denote an extraordinary effort in providing medical, logistical and humanitarian support to the affected population. In addition, Ambassador Sebastiani recalled the fundamental role played by the doctors and rescuers of CISOM – present on board the Italian Coast Guard’s aero-naval units – in the relief operations for migrants and asylum seekers in the Mediterranean Sea. He also mentioned the emergency interventions carried out in support of the people who suffered from the earthquakes in Central Italy. Lastly, he highlighted the first-aid international activities carried out by CISOM volunteers in response to natural disasters, such as the recent interventions for the security of the population affected by the earthquake in Albania.
