Humanitarian Medal

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Humanitarian Medal
TypeService medal
Awarded forHumanitarian service
DescriptionNickel-silver, 36mm diameter
Presented by United Kingdom
EligibilityBritish forces and civilian personnel
Post-nominalsNone
Campaign(s)Humanitarian efforts in the UK and overseas
Clasps
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedJuly 2023
First award18th February 2025
UK Humanitarian Medal.png
Ribbon bar

The Humanitarian Medal is a British award intended to recognise the efforts of those involved in providing aid and support to human welfare during or in the aftermath of a humanitarian crisis. The medal is awarded to people that have responded to emergencies both in the United Kingdom or overseas. The first medal was awarded to UK-MED staff member Anna Daniell by His Majesty King Charles III on 18th January 2025 in recognition of her services in Lebanon with the UK Emergency Medical Team.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Background

In July 2023, a new award was instituted that would recognise the efforts of workers in various types of humanitarian crisis. This award was to be awarded to people employed by various organisations, including but not limited to the armed forces, civilian services, civilian health care organisations and charities. [1]

Description

The obverse of the medal features the effigy of the sovereign, while the reverse consists of a laurel wreath interwoven with a banner containing the words "For Humanitarian Service". [2] [3]

The medal ribbon, 1+14 inches (32 mm) wide, consists of a central white stripe, representing civilians and peace, with narrow stripes of red, light blue, dark blue and purple either side. The red stripe is intended to represent humanitarian organisations, light blue to represent the NHS, with the other two colours representing other services. [2]

Similar to military awards such as the General Service Medal, the Humanitarian Medal will be awarded just once, with service undertaken for different situations recognised through the award of a clasp to the medal itself. [2]

Qualification

Qualification for award of the Humanitarian Medal comes under a range of different criteria:

In January 2025, the first humanitarian responses for which receipt of the medal was permitted were announced: [4]

See also

Notes

  1. Level 2 is an emergency that has or threatens to have a wide or prolonged impact requiring sustained support from central or regional government, or the devolved administrations. [2]
  2. Level 3 is an emergency with an exceptionally and widespread impact, requiring immediate support from central government. [2]

References

  1. "New British Humanitarian Medal to honour UK disaster rescuers". BBC News. BBC. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Humanitarian Medal - Command paper". UK Government. Cabinet Office. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  3. "No. 64138". The London Gazette . 8 August 2023. p. 15874.
  4. "Humanitarian Medal - Morocco, Libya and Gaza". UK Government. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2025.