On 30 January 2025, the Government announced that His Majesty has approved the first three eligible responses for the Humanitarian Medal which will be awarded to eligible individuals who assisted with His Majesty’s Government’s response to:

• the earthquake in Morocco in September 2023;
• the flooding in Libya in September 2023 and
• the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Morocco 2023

• On 8 September 2023, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck south of Marrakech, leading to almost 3000 deaths and over 5500 injuries, and causing catastrophic damage in remote and mountainous regions and communities.
• The British Embassy in Rabat initiated a crisis response on 9 September 2023 and remained so until 19 September. The UK was one of only four countries whose offers of assistance were accepted by Morocco. The UK response included activity from over 100 individuals from UK International Search and Rescue, the UK’s Emergency Medical Team UK-Med, MOD, FCDO officials based in Rabat and Marrakech, British Council, Humanitarian Response Group (HRG), and Humanitarian Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT) colleagues.

Eligibility criteria:

• Those who took part in a HMG response between 9 September 2023 and 19 September 2023 in the Marrakech-Safi (Marrakech, Al Haouz and Chichaoua provinces) and Sous Massa Region (Taroudannt province) of Morocco with a minimum service of 48 hours,

Clasp:

• Those eligible will receive a Humanitarian Medal with a clasp which reads ‘Morocco’.

Libya 2023

• Storm Daniel, which hit Libya in September 2023, was the deadliest Mediterranean cyclone in recorded history. It caused torrential rain leading to the failure of two dams near Derna. This released a torrent of water which flattened the centre of that city. The disaster affected about 1.5 million people or 22% of Libya’s population. Over 5000 people were killed and around 8,000 are still missing.
• The UK response appeal for the Derna floods ended on 31 March 2024 and covered a wide geographical area - From Bersis in the west to Tobruk in the east and from the coast in the north to Al Mkheley in the south.

Eligibility criteria:

Those who took part in a HMG response between 11 September 2023 – 31 March 2024, in the region from Bersis in the west to Tobruk in the east of Libya and from the coast in the north to Al mkheley in the south of Libya, with a minimum service of 14 days.

Clasp:

• Those eligible will receive a Humanitarian Medal with a clasp which reads ‘Libya’.

Gaza (Ongoing)

• Since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing conflict, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has been extreme. The population faces the risk of famine and access to essential services – safe drinking water, shelter, healthcare – is minimal. Aid workers have been working under some of the most dangerous and challenging environments ever seen by humanitarians, many of whom have provided  integral  front-line service to  the affected Gazan population. The Gaza conflict has been the deadliest in history for UN and humanitarian staff.
• HMG have worked with a range of  organisations to deliver lifesaving aid for a huge number of Gazans in the most desperate need.UK Med, for example, has treated over 250,000 sick and wounded people by operating field hospitals and emergency facilities in existing hospitals. Overall, the UK has now announced £112 million for the OPTs this financial year, including £41m for UNRWA, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinians across the region delivered through partner agencies.

Eligibility criteria:

Those who took part in an HMG response since 7 October 2023  within the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, Ramallah, East Jerusalem, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus and maritime personnel operating in the Eastern Mediterranean. with a minimum service of 14 days.