Jessica O'ConnorThe UK Government has announced that around 100 more aid workers will receive the Humanitarian Medal for life-saving relief efforts in Gaza, as the global death toll of humanitarian staff reached record levels in 2024.
Marking World Humanitarian Day (19th August), Minister for Development Baroness Chapman confirmed the awards, recognising the work of frontline responders deployed in some of the most dangerous environments.
She said: “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 hideous preventable conflict costs an obscene loss of life.
“What aid workers do for humanity needs to be recognised and celebrated.”
According to government figures, 383 aid workers lost their lives in 2024, the highest number ever recorded.
With conflict intensifying in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, 2025 is expected to be equally deadly.
Gaza has become one of the most dangerous places for aid operations, with over 450 aid workers reported killed since the start of the conflict.
The Humanitarian Medal was launched in January to formally acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those delivering aid in high-risk areas.
Among those set to receive the honour are UK-funded workers with organisations such as UK-MED, which has treated more than 500,000 Gazans in field hospitals during the conflict, as well as staff delivering food, water and shelter to civilians.
Baroness Chapman said: “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. Our funding to the world’s worst humanitarian crises is delivering real hope on the ground.”
The UK’s contribution to global humanitarian efforts has also been recognised internationally.
On 13th August, Manchester-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG) was awarded the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest annual humanitarian award, for its work clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance in conflict zones.
Since 1989, MAG has supported more than 20 million people across 70 countries to rebuild their lives.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the UK is also stepping up efforts to protect humanitarian staff, investing in organisations such as the International NGO Safety Organisation and the Aid Worker Security Database.
Measures include suspending certain export licences to Israel over concerns about International Humanitarian Law violations, and hosting the London Sudan Conference to improve humanitarian access.
