CIOMAL - Switzerland
CIOMAL Foundation
28 A, chemin du Petit-Saconnex
CH-1209
Geneva
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41/22 733 22 52
Fax: +41/22 734 00 60
info@ciomal.ch
www.ciomal.ch/index.html
President | Mr Gilles de Weck |
|---|---|
General Secretary | Ms Joanna de Kalbermatten |
History
In April 1956, the Order of Malta organised the first international conference for the defence and social rehabilitation of leprosy sufferers in Rome, on the suggestion of Raoul Follereau. In October 1958, CIOMAL took over from the Swiss Committee "Bataille de la lèpre" which had been set up in 1953. CIOMAL was created to implement the resolutions of the Rome Congress. In April 1999, the previous association of CIOMAL (Comité exécutif international de l'Ordre de Malte pour l'assistance aux lépreux) underwent a change of name, becoming a foundation using the same inscription of CIOMAL, but shortened to the "Comité international de l'Ordre de Malte". CIOMAL was a founding Member Association of ILEP.
Priorities
Since its creation at the end of the 11th century, the "Ordre Hospitalier de St Jean de Jérusalem" or Order of Malta has worked intensively to combat leprosy which was then extremely widespread. Today, CIOMAL uses its experience and resources to serve leprosy sufferers in Asia and South America, with the guidance of experienced leprologists.