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Medic's work in flood-hit Libya earns King's award

Stuart Rust
BBC News
UK-Med Alessandra Morelli is standing between two other women. All three women are wearing headscarfs. They are standing in front of a large pile of wood that appears to be being used in construction. There is a a cream building behind them. UK-Med
Alessandra Morelli (centre) helped train midwives in Derna after thousands of people were killed in Libya following Storm Daniel in 2023

A medic who supported emergency healthcare in flood-hit Libya is to receive an award from the King.

Alessandra Morelli, a research midwife at the University of Oxford, was deployed to Libya with charity UK-Med in 2023 in the wake of Storm Daniel.

Ms Morelli, and 13 other frontline medical responders, will be presented with Humanitarian Medals during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

The new award recognises extraordinary service in response to humanitarian emergencies.

University of Oxford Ms Morelli wearing a black jacket looks at the camera in front of a building and a black railing fence. University of Oxford
In February 2023 Ms Morelli was deployed to help after two devastating earthquakes hit Turkey

Storm Daniel struck Libya on 10 September 2023, destroying two dams in the port city of Derna and killing thousands.

UK-Med, which provides aid in conflict and disasters across the world, offered mobile healthcare in the aftermath of the storm.

The charity also supported a maternity unit, provided essential medicines and delivered training to Libyan health workers.

Ms Morelli gave training to Libyan midwives in the city.

Previously, she also joined UK-Med's response to two devastating earthquakes that hit southern Turkey in February 2023, claiming the lives of more than 53,500 people.

At the time of the Turkey disaster, Ms Morelli said: 'The effects of the earthquake were devastating.

"There is a very high proportion of people who have been displaced by the effects of the earthquake, with a temperature at night of -6 degrees."

David Wightwick, CEO of UK-Med, said: "These dedicated professionals have put their expertise to work in the most extreme conditions imaginable.

"Their commitment to saving lives, often at great personal risk, is a testament to the values of humanitarianism and medical excellence.

"The recognition from His Majesty is a moment of pride for all of us at UK-Med and a reminder of the critical role our medics play in global emergency response."

Other recipients of the Humanitarian Medal on Tuesday include medics who delivered care during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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