A new British Humanitarian Medal to honor UK disaster rescuers

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By Sean Coghlan, Royal Correspondent

1 hour ago

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New medal honors ‘unsung heroes’ in disasters, such as the Nepal earthquake in 2015

A new British Medal is being launched to honor people who have responded to major disasters and emergencies, such as earthquakes and floods.

The Humanitarian Medal, approved by King Charles, will recognize the efforts of emergency workers and relief teams, including charities, service personnel and health workers.

It will honor the ‘unsung heroes’ of emergencies both abroad and in the UK.

These may be natural disasters, but also war zones and epidemics.

Along with military and civilian honors, the new Humanitarian Medal will recognize workers in the most serious disasters, including tsunamis, hurricanes, and major industrial accidents.

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It will award the Humanitarian Medal in recognition of those who respond to disasters and emergencies

The medal could also be for a sustainable response to a health crisis, such as efforts to tackle Ebola in West Africa.

The Cabinet Office says eligibility for the Humanitarian Medal will be for those providing assistance on behalf of the UK government, but will not be limited to British nationals.

The medal, which bears the monarch’s image on one side and the words “For Humanitarian Service” on the other, will become available immediately, or at least as soon as support is dispatched to a disaster or disaster, whether in the UK or abroad.

A Syrian man who lost his mother, father and other members of his family has told the King of the urgent need for more international rescue teams to reach those trapped under the rubble.

MPs on the International Development Committee and development agencies also highlighted that billions of the foreign aid budget is now spent within the UK, such as hotel costs for refugees, rather than helping countries abroad.

Image source, Duncan Stone

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In February, King Charles heard of Syrians who had lost families in the earthquake

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the humanitarian medal would honor those who “show such courage and act as inspiration in a range of desperate situations”.

“Our work around the world depends on these exceptional people, and this award honors their outstanding contribution to responding to a major crisis,” he said.

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