'We're sincerely grateful' - Médecins Sans Frontiéres accepts Tipperary Peace Award

Médecins Sans Frontiéres has received the Tipperary International Peace Award in recognition of the organisation's humanitarian work and the response of its teams to crises of both war and natural disasters.

The award was presented at a ceremony at The Great National Ballykisteen Hotel in Limerick Junction yesterday, marking the UN International Day of Peace.

The award was accepted by Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, who is the Medical Team Leader for MSF in Gaza.

In attendance were Ambassadors from Austria, Barbados, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Malaysia and Palestine. Also present for the occasion was the Ceann Comhairle, Seán O'Fearghaíl and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Jerry Buttimer.

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Hon. Secretary of Tipperary Peace Convention Mr. Martin Quinn said the award paid "tribute to the unwavering commitment of an organisation that has brought medical care and humanitarian assistance to some of the most vulnerable populations across the globe".

"For over five decades, MSF has embodied the true spirit of compassion, courage, and resilience. Whether working in war-torn regions, responding to outbreaks of disease, or aiding communities devastated by natural disasters, your teams have consistently provided life-saving care in the most challenging circumstances. Your work transcends borders, politics, and conflict, affirming the fundamental belief that every person deserves access to medical care and dignity, no matter their location or situation.

"The prestigious Tipperary International Peace Award, not only acknowledges the incredible impact your organisation has had on millions of lives, but also your role in cultivating a culture of peace, of providing stability, and hope in regions facing unimaginable hardship. You have shown the world what it means to put humanity first, often at great personal risk as we have seen with the loss of life of some of your members, and in doing so, you inspire all of us to envision a more compassionate and just world" said Mr. Quinn.

The Award was presented to Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, who is the Medical Team Leader for MSF in Gaza by Secretary Quinn, and he was joined for the presentation by his colleagues on the committee, Mr. Guy Jones and Mr. John Shanahan.

In a statement online, MSF said they were "sincerely grateful" to receive the Tipperary International Peace Award.

MSF representative Abdelmoneim said that his work with MSF as an Emergency Medicine Doctor has taken him to numerous conflicts and humanitarian crises, most recently to two of the world’s most severe: Sudan and Gaza.

"That work has affected me deeply....., many already dead on arrival. People with complex injuries or missing limbs; children, women, Healthcare workers requiring immediate emergency care; our team relying on short supplies; I will never forget the scenes in Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis in Gaza, during multiple mass casualty events, when 100's of people would be brought to the emergency department at one time, dedication of our Palestinian colleagues who have lost everything, still coming to work day in day out. And all of this playing out repeatedly for the world to see for nearly a year now. 

"In Sudan we call on the warring parties to immediately stop attacks on civilians and allow for humanitarian aid to be significantly scaled up. In both contexts there has been earthshattering inaction from the global community. Those with the power to bring an end to the human suffering and carnage have chosen to allow it to continue.

"In the case of Gaza, numerous UNSC resolutions have been blocked; International Court of Justice rulings ignored; the health infrastructure systematically attacked and destroyed; International humanitarian law has become meaningless. Compounding the suffering - powerful nations are sending arms and munitions to warring parties in both conflicts. Leaders from many of these same countries are complicit and engage in outrageous hypocrisy by continuing to allow war profiteering even as the civilian death toll skyrockets. While people are killed and maimed and our teams try to respond to the deepening health crises - these same leaders peddle ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian pauses," said Dr. Javid.

A memorial tribute was paid to the late Mrs. Mary Swords (former Tipperary Peace Convention committee member), who passed away on September 5th. A recognition honour in her memory to UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), was presented by her daughter Mrs. Michelle Cunningham to the Palestinian Ambassador, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid. Both Mrs. Cunningham and the Ambassador responded briefly to the presentation.

Before the event concluded a blessing was given by the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, Most Rev Kieran O'Reilly and by the Dean of Cashel, Dean James Mulhall.

Concluding the event, Martin Quinn paid a very special thanks to TASK Community Care, who were the Award Sponsors over a number of years, to Tipperary County Council for their sponsorship of the Brochure and to Jarlath Daly, who had sculpted the magnificent bronze Dove of Peace.