New memorial plaque to humanitarian aid workers
New memorial plaque to humanitarian aid workers
On Tuesday 28th January, a new memorial plaque dedicated to humanitarian aid workers was unveiled during a ceremony in the Crypt. Displayed near the Cathedral’s memorial to Florence Nightingale, the plaque celebrates the bravery of those who dedicate their lives to helping others and remembers those who have been murdered or injured while delivering humanitarian assistance.
Designed by letter artist and designer, Charlotte Howarth, and hand-carved in-house by Stonemason Martin Gwilliams, the plaque reads: "In celebration of Humanitarian Aid Workers. Helping those in need whoever and wherever they are. And in remembrance of those who have died in the pursuit of their calling."
It is the first public site in the UK which honours humanitarian aid workers and their efforts in conflict zones and disaster-stricken areas worldwide, from Sudan and Syria to Ukraine and beyond. It will serve as a quiet place where loved ones, colleagues and friends can honour their sacrifices and draw inspiration from their extraordinary commitment to helping those in need.
The effort to create a permanent memorial to humanitarian aid workers was spearheaded by a Steering Committee comprised of comprised of eminent UK-based humanitarians and a member of the Chapter of Westminster Abbey. The Cathedral is proud to complement its legacy of commemorating sacrifice and service by hosting the plaque here.
The Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, said:
“The project to create a memorial to Humanitarian Aid Workers recognises the astonishing work by many agencies around the world and the danger many individuals face in bringing support to the most vulnerable. More than ever, aid workers are facing ever greater threats in spheres of conflict or natural disaster, something underlined by the range of organisations represented at the dedication ceremony. For St Paul’s, this marks the beginning of a new range of memorials being introduced into the Cathedral which reflect the diversity of contributions to our national and international life.”
The Humanitarian Memorial Committee is:
- Sir Brendan Gormley, former CEO Disasters Emergency Committee
- Sir John Holmes (Chair), former diplomat and UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs
- Harbinder Kaur, consultant, former Director of HR CARE International
- Dr Elaine Laycock MBE, retired GP, former medical director Lifeline
- Victoria Metcalfe-Hough, consultant, senior Research Associate at ODI Humanitarian Policy Group
- Sara Pantuliano, CEO Overseas Development Institute
- Nick Roseveare MBE, former CEO MAG, former Oxfam Humanitarian Director
- Saleh Saeed OBE, CEO Disasters Emergency Committee, former CEO Islamic Relief
- Dame Barbara Stocking, former CEO Oxfam
- Sir Nicholas Young, former CEO British Red Cross
