Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Complete Humanitarian Visit to Jordan
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, completed a two-day humanitarian visit to Jordan. The tour, initiated by an invitation from World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, focused on supporting mental health and vulnerable communities impacted by displacement from countries like Syria, Palestine, and Israel.
"The two-day visit focused on supporting mental health and vulnerable communities impacted by displacement from countries like Syria, Palestine, and Israel."
Hospital Visit
During their visit, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Specialty Hospital in Amman, the capital city. They met Maria, a 14-year-old burn victim from Gaza, and discussed her injuries and treatment with medical staff. Meghan Markle was observed comforting Maria during their interaction.
The couple also received briefings on the care provided to patients wounded in Gaza, highlighting the critical medical needs in the region.
Engaging with UN and Refugee Communities
The couple participated in a round table discussion with senior representatives from various UN bodies, including UNRWA, UNHCR, the World Food Programme, and UNICEF, at the WHO offices. This engagement allowed for a broad overview of humanitarian efforts in the region.
Subsequently, they visited the Za'atari Refugee Camp, which houses tens of thousands of displaced Syrians. They toured a youth center offering activities such as art, photography, music, and sports, all aimed at supporting mental health for the young residents. Harry and Meghan engaged directly with children, playing football and observing performances, reinforcing the importance of community support.
At the Za'atari Refugee Camp, Harry and Meghan engaged directly with children, playing football and observing performances.
Supporting Food Relief and Humanitarian Efforts
The Duke and Duchess also met with World Central Kitchen (WCK) staff in Amman, who are coordinating food relief efforts for Gaza. The couple are long-time supporters of WCK founder José Andrés, underscoring their commitment to food security initiatives.
The visit, while independent of the British government, was acknowledged by the British ambassador to Jordan, Philip Hall, who expressed appreciation for their support of humanitarian efforts. This marks the couple's first joint international trip in approximately 18 months, signifying a renewed focus on global humanitarian engagement.
Archewell Foundation's Contributions
In September, the couple's Archewell Foundation announced a substantial donation. A sum of $US500,000 ($705,000 AUD) was allocated to projects supporting children affected by conflict in Gaza and Ukraine.
These funds were directed towards crucial initiatives, including the Centre of Blast Injury Studies in London, which develops prosthetic limbs for children; a WHO-led program for medical evacuations from Gaza to Jordan; and Save the Children's humanitarian support in Gaza. The couple previously partnered with the WHO in 2021 for a vaccine equity campaign, demonstrating a consistent focus on global health issues.