On 30 January 2025, the Government announced that King Charles had approved the first three eligible responses for the newly established Humanitarian Medal. This prestigious award will be presented to individuals who have played a crucial role in His Majesty’s Government’s response to humanitarian crises, both in the UK and internationally.
The Humanitarian Medal, first introduced by the Government on 19th July 2023, is designed to honour those in public service and members of organisations, including charities, who respond to crises that threaten human welfare. Whether providing disaster relief, combating life-threatening emergencies, or delivering aid in hazardous conditions such as conflict zones, recipients of this medal will have demonstrated outstanding commitment to humanitarian service.
The King presenting the first Humanitarian Medals. (UK Government)
Criteria for the Humanitarian Medal
To ensure the medal is reserved for the most significant crises, it will only be awarded in response to serious (Level 2) or catastrophic (Level 3) emergencies:
For UK Emergencies:
– Serious Emergency (Level 2): A crisis with widespread or prolonged impact that necessitates sustained central government coordination, typically through the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR).
– Catastrophic Emergency (Level 3): A crisis of exceptionally high and widespread impact, requiring immediate central government intervention, potentially including emergency powers.
For International Emergencies:
– Level 2 Emergencies: Large-scale crises that threaten the lives and well-being of many people, demanding extraordinary humanitarian action.
– Level 3 Emergencies: A sudden and severe humanitarian crisis that overwhelms existing response capacity, requiring immediate large-scale intervention.
These levels align with the IASC Humanitarian System-Wide Scale-Up Protocols, ensuring a globally recognised standard for humanitarian response.
A closer look at the Humanitarian medal. (UK Cabinet Office)
Design of the Medal
The Humanitarian Medal has been thoughtfully crafted to reflect the values of compassion, resilience, and service.
The reverse of the medal features the effigy of the Sovereign, honouring the recipients’ dedication to humanitarian efforts under the Crown. The laurel wreaths on the medal represent victory over crisis, while a banner inscribed with “For Humanitarian Service” reinforces the purpose of the award.
The design of the ribbon represents 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 and whilst the light blue is associated with the NHS. Dark blue and purple represent the other services.
The first Humanitarian medals were presented to recipients at Buckingham Palace. (UK Cabinet Office)
The approval of the first three eligible responses for the Humanitarian Medal marks a significant step in recognising the bravery and dedication of those who serve in the most challenging humanitarian situations. As His Majesty’s Government continues to honour those who provide life-saving assistance in times of crisis, the medal will stand as a lasting tribute to their selflessness, courage, and unwavering commitment to humanity.
