London: Around 100 more aid workers are set to be recognised for life-saving relief efforts in Gaza, Minister for Development Jennifer Chapman has announced on World Humanitarian Day, coinciding August 19, a Foreign Office statement said.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the year 2024 was the deadliest on record for humanitarians, with 383 aid workers losing their lives around the world, including British citizens. The statement noted that 2025 is set to be as bad or worse due to the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places for humanitarians, with over 450 aid workers killed since the beginning of the conflict.
Minister for Development Jennifer Chapman stated: "Today, World Humanitarian Day, is a day to celebrate brave and inspiring humanitarian workers across the world. These remarkable people do untold good in places like Gaza, Myanmar, and Sudan where preventable conflict costs an obscene loss of life. What aid workers do for humanity needs to be recognised and celebrated."
"This World Humanitarian Day, alongside our work with the international community to provide support and relief to the people of Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, we are preparing to award around 100 more aid workers with the Humanitarian Medal, for their efforts to alleviate suffering in Gaza." In January, the British Government announced the first recipients of the new Humanitarian Medal. The national honour recognises the courage and dedication of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help others as part of the UK's humanitarian responses in the world's most dangerous places.