MAP colleagues awarded humanitarian medals by King Charles for Gaza response

21 February 2025

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is proud to announce that four of our dedicated colleagues have been among those awarded the first ever Humanitarian Medals by His Majesty King Charles, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 18 February 2025.  

The Humanitarian Medal is awarded to individuals for their support of human welfare during or in the aftermath of a crisis. The following four MAP colleagues received the honour, representing the collective efforts of our teams and medical volunteers who have worked tirelessly to save lives amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza resulting from more than 15 months of Israel’s military attacks and siege: 

• Wasim Ashour, MAP’s Programme Manager, who was based in Gaza when Israel’s military assault in October 2023 began, and played a crucial role in providing coordination and programme support for MAP’s emergency medical teams (EMTs), as well as our aid deliveries. 

• Fikr Shalltoot, MAP’s Gaza Director, who has led MAP’s Gaza team throughout the crisis while displaced to Egypt since before the attacks began, overseeing the organisation’s largest-ever humanitarian response and serving as a powerful voice in international media. 

• Professor Nick Maynard, an Oxford-based surgeon who was the Clinical Lead for MAP’s first EMT mission into Gaza in December 2023, and has since returned to Gaza and actively advocated for Palestinians’ rights to health and dignity through the media and public forums. 

• Sameer Sah, UK Director of Programmes, who led MAP’s first EMT mission into Gaza in December 2023 and spearheaded the organisation’s humanitarian response efforts from the UK. Sameer will be returning to Gaza soon to assess the situation and explore what can be done to help rebuild the destroyed health system. 

We would have also nominated more Gaza-based staff but for the fact that they could not travel to London to collect their medals in person, a criterion for nomination. 

Steve Cutts, MAP’s Interim CEO, said: “While this award highlights the remarkable contributions of these highly-respected colleagues, it is truly a testament to the entire MAP team, particularly our staff who have continued their lifesaving work in Gaza under the most challenging conditions and while experiencing great personal loss. MAP was among the first to respond to the emergency in Gaza and remained operational throughout, and remains committed to supporting the communities we serve for as long as we are needed. We are honoured that the dedication, courage, and commitment of MAP’s staff have been recognised in this way.” 

MAP remains committed to providing essential medical aid and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. We are providing vital healthcare services including medical care, nutrition, mental health support, support for people with disabilities, as well as humanitarian supplies.

Please help us to continue our support for Palestinians in Gaza. You can donate here.

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_{Photo: MAP’s Gaza Director, Fikr Shalltoot, awarded a Humanitarian Medal by His Majesty King Charles.}