We’ve always known that the individuals who make up our faculty are extraordinary. But this month, that recognition has gone far beyond our community, two of our faculty members, Deb Swann and Hareen De Silva, have been awarded the Humanitarian Medal from His Majesty the King for their remarkable contributions to global emergency response.
Their recognition highlights the vital role of medics in conflict and disaster zones, further cementing the importance of Humanitarian & Disaster Medicine, a core pillar of what we do at World Extreme Medicine.
A Royal Recognition for Humanitarian Excellence
The Humanitarian Medal, recently introduced by the UK government, honours individuals who have provided exceptional service in humanitarian crises.
The medal, first approved on 19th July 2023, was presented for the first time by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in January 2025. It is awarded to public servants and aid workers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to humanitarian service during or in the aftermath of crises.
Deb Swann received her medal for her deployment with UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) following the devastating Morocco earthquake. Her work on the ground helped provide life-saving medical care to those in critical need.
Hareen De Silva was recognised alongside a group of UK-Med responders who have worked tirelessly on the frontline of humanitarian crises, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza. His contributions in Deir el Balah, leading a primary health field hospital, have been pivotal in providing emergency care under extreme conditions.
Both Deb and Hareen join a distinguished group of humanitarian medics whose dedication and expertise have directly impacted countless lives.
The Humanitarian Medal, first approved by His Majesty the King in January 2025, recognises medics and responders who contributed to three major crises:
- Morocco Earthquake (September 2023) – The UK provided emergency response support, with UKISAR and UK-Med deploying teams to affected regions.
- Libya Flooding (September 2023) – A devastating cyclone and dam collapse led to one of the worst humanitarian disasters in Mediterranean history, with emergency medical teams playing a crucial role in response efforts.
- Gaza Conflict (Ongoing since October 2023) – UK-Med has been actively treating thousands of patients under extreme conditions, with responders working in field hospitals and emergency care facilities.
The medal design reflects the values of compassion, resilience, and service. The reverse features the Sovereign’s effigy, symbolising the recipients’ dedication under the Crown. The laurel wreaths represent victory over crisis, while the ribbon’s colours symbolise various humanitarian services, including red for humanitarian organisations, light blue for the NHS, and dark blue and purple for additional emergency services.
These recognitions underscore the sacrifices made by frontline medics who risk their lives to provide urgent medical care in crisis zones.
A Tradition of Excellence
Their awards follow in the footsteps of other members of the World Extreme Medicine family who have received high honours for their humanitarian efforts. Last year, WEM founder Mark Hannaford and Advanced Paramedic Luca Alfatti were awarded Humanitarian Medals in Ukraine for their work with Medics4Ukraine (now WEM Fund), training frontline responders and delivering critical aid to war-affected regions.
Additionally, the WEM Fund (WEMF) team continues to be recognised for its humanitarian impact, providing crucial medical training, equipment, and direct field support to crisis zones worldwide. The team recently reached a major milestone, training nearly 1,000 individuals in Kherson, Ukraine, to provide essential life-saving skills to civilians affected by conflict. The initiative, which received formal recognition from the Kherson regional government, highlights WEMF’s growing role in community-based medical training.
The Link to Humanitarian & Disaster Medicine
These awards reaffirm the importance of specialist training in extreme medicine, ensuring medical professionals are equipped with the skills needed to respond effectively in the world’s most challenging environments.
If you’re inspired by their work and want to gain the expertise required for humanitarian deployments, explore our courses designed to prepare medics for these high-pressure, high-stakes situations:
Expedition & Wilderness Medicine: Learn to provide care in extreme and remote locations.
Be Part of the Humanitarian Movement
We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our faculty and proud to support the next generation of humanitarian medics. Whether you’re looking to advance your career in extreme medicine, prepare for humanitarian deployments, or simply understand what it takes to provide care in high-risk environments, WEM is here to guide you on that journey.
Congratulations once again to Deb, Hareen, Mark, Luca, and all the incredible medics receiving these honours. Your work inspires us all.
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