The first recipients of a new medal recognising humanitarian aid
work on behalf of the United Kingdom are being recognised today.
Announced in July 2023, the Humanitarian Medal is a new national
form of recognition awarded to public servants and members of
organisations contributing to global humanitarian responses on
behalf of HM Government.
Those being recognised today include individuals who displayed
exemplary public service and humanitarian efforts in HM
Government's response to the 2023 Morocco Earthquake, the 2023
Libya Flooding, and the Gaza conflict.
With the establishment of the Humanitarian Medal, HM Government
departments now make recommendations for eligible Humanitarian
responses to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations
and Medals. Those responses recommended for Humanitarian Medal
awards are then submitted for approval to His Majesty The King.
Among the first recipients working as part of the eligible
responses are:
-
Morocco: UK-ISAR Operations Commander for Morocco Response,
from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, Shyam Rana, from
Sutton Coldfield - A member of the UK International Search
and Rescue team (UK ISAR). He was deployed in the search to
reach people under collapsed buildings. ISAR has specialist
equipment to monitor further seismic activity and cut through
cement. Aftershocks remained a risk throughout the
deployment.
-
Libya: UK-EMT Team Lead Anna Daniell, from Greater Manchester
- Led the official UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) into
Derna, Libya in the wake of the dam collapse who were
providing direct primary healthcare support to the affected
population in areas outside of Government control.
-
Gaza: UK-Med Medical Coordinator Melanie (Mel) Johnson, from
Totterdown, Bristol - Led the medical team in Gaza providing
surgical, primary, and community healthcare support during
intense conflict in the FCDO-funded field hospital and
rehabilitated Nasser Hospital.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:
“All of the individuals being recognised today are shining
examples of public service. Their selfless dedication to saving
lives represents the very best of British values around the
world. The nation thanks them for their work.”
Foreign Secretary said:
“This new medal recognises the incredible dedication and selfless
service of individuals on the frontline of the UK's responses to
some of the world's most devastating crises.
“I am delighted the first tranche of awards will recognise
members of the UK government's emergency deployment teams, for
their brave work in Libya, Morocco and Gaza. The International
Search and Rescue team and Emergency Medical Team are made up of
expert firefighters and medics from across the UK, who travel to
the most challenging of environments to save lives.”
The medal, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, features
on the reverse laurel wreaths symbolising victory in overcoming a
crisis, interwoven with a banner proclaiming "For humanitarian
service". The obverse bears an effigy of His Majesty The
King.
The ribbon design reflects the different paths for humanitarian
service and the variety of services involved in such responses.
The ribbon has a central stripe of white to represent civilians
and peace, with four narrow stripes on either side of red, light
blue, dark blue and purple. Red represents humanitarian
organisations. Dark blue and purple represent the other services.
The design on the reverse was approved by Her Late Majesty The
Queen in 2021.
These responses are the first use of the Humanitarian Medal. This
is only the first tranche of awards to be made, and more will
follow in due course.
Ends
Notes to editors
-
-
Read more about the Humanitarian Medal here.
-
The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals
recently recommended to His Majesty a change to the criteria
for the medal so that where Humanitarian responses last
longer than 12 months and have not yet entered the recovery
phase, they can be considered for a Humanitarian Medal.
Previously a definitive end date was required for a
response.
