Nominations sought for humanitarian award

A prestigious humanitarian award, which honours an heroic Cork-born priest and was initially introduced for individuals, now includes organisations and teams.

Nominations are invited for the Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award, which will be presented in Killarney later this year.

Mgr O’Flaherty helped save more than 6,500 prisoners of war, Jews, and Roman citizens from arrest or re-capture during the Nazi occupation of Rome in the Second World War.

Jerry O’Grady, the secretary of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society, said in almost all cases, successful humanitarian projects relied on effective teamwork.

“There are numerous, domestically-based organisations doing tremendous work for the oppressed and needy in Ireland and, in many cases, lives are being saved without much public awareness.”

Nominations are invited from the public, humanitarian NGOs operating at home or overseas, and humanitarian-related societies in third-level institutions.

Nominations, to be considered by an independent judging panel, should be submitted in writing before Aug 31.

* hughoflaherty.com.