2022 Chevening Welcome Home Event

World news story

On the 17th February 2022 the British High Commission in Windhoek hosted a welcome home reception for the newly returned 2022 Chevening scholars from Namibia.

British High Commissioner to Namibia, His Excellency Charles Moore pictured with returned 2021 Chevening alumni

The UK and Namibia continue to remain resolute in their shared commitment to education. On the 17th February 2022, The British High Commission in Windhoek welcomed members of the Chevening alumni community, friends, colleagues and partners to meet one another and share in the memories and achievements of the 2020-2021 Chevening cohort.

Having reached the end of their time in the UK as Chevening scholars: Mavis Elias, Abel Abel, Gideon Tutala Gideon, Maria Gift Nekanyala, Hendrick Kadhila, Antony Chatu, Menessia Diergaardt, Lavinia Mbongo, Anastasia Aluvilu, Jacinto Fekayamala, Margretha Kampulu, Martha Abner, Hortensia Uupindi, and Martha Nangolo returned home to Namibia with new skills and knowledge that will contribute to the country’s future economic development.

They were welcomed back home by the British High Commissioner to Namibia, His Excellency Charles Moore who recognised their resilience in withstanding a multitude of challenges brought forward by the COVID-19 pandemic. His Excellency Charles Moore was joined by one of Namibia’s most prominent Chevening alumni, His Lordship Peter Shivute, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Namibia, whose career trajectory embodies the principles and possibilities of the Chevening Scholarship scheme.

Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The scholarships are an important element in Britain’s public diplomacy effort that allows young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK.

Menessia Diergaardt, cuts the cake on behalf of her fellow Cheveners to symbolise their triumphant return to Namibia

Martha Abner, gives a speech detailing her time in the UK and her hopes for the future

His Lordship Peter Shivute pictured with His Excellency Charles Moore and the recently returned Cheveners

Chevener Mavis Elias has a conversation with His Excellency Charles Moore

Published 14 March 2022



The United Kingdom shares best practices on Cyber Security with the Philippines

The British Embassy Manila in partnership with the Bankers Association of the Philippines held the virtual UK-PH Cyber Security Forum on 11 March 2022.

The British Embassy Manila – Department for International Trade (DIT) in partnership with the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) held the virtual UK-PH Cyber Security Forum on 11 March 2022 to discuss the growing relevance of Cyber Security in the country. DIT Country Director Richard Colley shared that the forum “aims to help forge relationships and build connections between the UK and the Philippines and work together in addressing cyber security risks. The UK is open to collaborate internationally especially with countries that share our values of democracy and transparency, like the Philippines.”

The strategic relevance of the ASEAN region, including the Philippines, makes it a prime target for cyberattacks. The growth in trade, capital flows, and cyber linkages between the Philippines and other countries implies that its cyber threat landscape will become even more complex in the future, further escalating its cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Mr Ramon L Jocson, Vice-Chairman of the BAP Cyber Security Committee talked about the cyber threats that Philippine banks and financial intermediaries are facing including the prevalence of ransomware and supply chain attacks, but also shared BAP’s initiatives and collaboration with Government and public agencies to address cyber issues.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), UK’s think tank and implementer of cyber strategies and programmes shared how the organisation plays its role in supporting the Financial Services Sector and presented its 2022 National Cyber Strategy which underscores the Government’s action to protect its citizens, companies and international partners. NCSC also explained how they help realise the vision of cyberspace as a reliable and resilient place for people and business to flourish.

To demonstrate the UK’s capabilities and cyber security solutions, three cutting edge companies presented their technologies during the forum and explained how they can further support the Philippines in becoming cyber-resilient in the fast moving digital world. To date, many UK tech companies are already working with Philippine partners and clients, but there are still many opportunities for collaboration, particularly on cyber security.

To know more about the UK’s cyber security solutions contact dit.manila@fcdo.gov.uk.

Published 14 March 2022
Last updated 14 March 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added a line in the first paragraph amending the quote by DIT Country Director Colley

  2. First published.



UK Government to donate generators to provide vital power for Ukraine

  • The UK Government has unveiled plans to provide vital energy support to Ukraine through the Ukraine Electricity Network Support Taskforce.
  • Portable generators will be sent to the country to support access to power for thousands of essential services in Ukraine, including hospitals and shelters.
  • Donation comes in response to direct request from President Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko.

The UK will donate more than 500 mobile generators to help keep the lights on in Ukraine, the government has announced today.

The generators have been directly requested by President Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK in recent discussions with the Prime Minister and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

They will provide much needed energy to essential facilities across Ukraine, including hospitals, shelters and water treatment plants which have lost power during the ongoing Russian invasion.

The UK Government has created a dedicated taskforce, including distribution network operators and the Energy Networks Association, to source and send the generators to Ukraine which could provide enough to power around 20,000 homes or equivalent buildings.

This will provide a timely boost to Ukraine’s war efforts, safeguarding Ukrainian people’s access to energy, ensuring that essential services can continue to run and weakening Russia’s attempts to strike at Ukraine’s power supply.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

We are seeing the tragic consequences in Ukraine from Putin’s grave mistake every day, and we will continue to do everything we can to support Ukraine’s resistance against this illegal invasion through economic, diplomatic and humanitarian measures, as well as providing defensive military equipment.

We will now be sending generators to ease the difficulties caused by the current power outages and help keep vital services running so the people of Ukraine can continue to defend their country.

Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

Sending portable electricity generators to Ukraine will help keep essential services running, weaken Putin’s attempts to cripple Ukraine’s power supply, and help support the extraordinarily brave Ukrainian response to the Kremlin’s war waging.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

Putin’s inhumane efforts to knock out Ukraine’s power supplies are wreaking more misery on millions of innocent civilians. The UK is stepping up and providing generators that will keep hospitals running,and ensure the supply of food and water. We will keep the lights on in Ukraine.

We are playing a leading role in the humanitarian effort, delivering vital supplies and life-saving medical aid to help those Ukrainians most in need.

The generators will be provided by UK commercial suppliers, who will provide their available stocks of generators to the effort.

It is expected that suppliers will be able to deliver a large proportion of these generators to Ukraine via neighbouring countries.

The Ukrainian Government and the country’s energy networks will distribute the generators to areas of need across the country, ensuring they reach those who need power the most.

Members of the Ukraine Electricity Network Support Task Group include:

  • Energy Networks Association

  • Electricity North West

  • Western Power Distribution

  • UK Power Networks

  • Northern PowerGrid

  • Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

  • Scottish Power Energy Networks

  • National Grid Electricity System Operator

  • National Grid Transmission System Operator



Ukrainian children brought to England for cancer treatment

  • The UK government has brought 21 Ukrainian children with cancer to receive care through the NHS in England
  • The children will undergo an assessment to understand their specific health needs before getting treatment at an appropriate NHS hospital
  • Intervention is part of the government’s wider humanitarian response to the Ukraine conflict with more than 650,000 medical items already delivered to Ukraine

21 Ukrainian children will receive lifesaving cancer treatment in England after being brought over by the UK government with the support of Polish authorities and clinicians.

The 21 children and their immediate family members landed in England this evening from Poland and will be triaged by NHS clinicians to understand their health needs before being sent to NHS hospitals in England to continue their care.

The vital and in many cases lifesaving cancer treatment will be provided free of charge by the health service across hospitals in England.

Hospitals in Poland have taken in many children needing healthcare who have arrived from Ukraine. With more children crossing the border requiring immediate treatment, the UK has responded to Poland’s call for support from international partners to provide additional care.

The UK partnered with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit American organisation which specialises in paediatric diseases, to arrange an urgent flight for the children.

The Department of Health and Social Care has collaborated with the Department for Transport, Home Office, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to facilitate the transfer of the children from Poland to the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

The sickening suffering of innocent civilians in Ukraine is truly horrific. This vital lifesaving medical care is another important step in our support for the people of Ukraine and their resistance against Putin’s illegal invasion.

I am hugely grateful to our fantastic NHS staff as well as our partners, including our Polish friends, for their support in bringing these children to the UK and we will continue to do all we can to support them as they continue their critical treatment here.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

I am appalled by the atrocities we’ve seen in Ukraine and the despicable attacks being carried out on innocent civilians.

I am proud that the UK is offering lifesaving medical care to these Ukrainian children, who have been forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion while undergoing medical treatment.

I know that the incredible staff in the NHS will ensure they get the best possible care. I am hugely grateful to our partners and our Polish friends for their support in bringing these children to the UK.

We stand together with the people of Ukraine and will continue to do all we can to help them.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said:

The situation in Ukraine is deeply shocking and saddening, and the NHS will continue to help in any way we can, whether that is by working with Government to provide medical supplies directly to Ukraine, or in this instance, by making sure these children with life-threatening cancers get the crucial treatment they need.

It is fantastic that colleagues at paediatric hospitals around the country have gone above and beyond to help these children during their greatest hour of need and I would like to thank the NHS staff, volunteers, charities and other partners involved who have come together to make this happen at breakneck speed.

The UK is at the forefront of the humanitarian response to Ukraine. The government has already sent seven aircraft to the region to deliver more than 650,000 medical items, including wound care packs, equipment for intensive care and vital medicines.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

Russia’s assault on the innocent people of Ukraine is reprehensible and barbaric. Working with our partners in the region we continue to be at the forefront of the joint humanitarian effort to provide the best medical care and support for these children and their families.

In addition, the UK has pledged approximately £400 million in humanitarian aid and funds to bolster the Ukrainian economy and reduce Ukraine’s reliance on Russian gas – making the UK the second biggest bilateral humanitarian donor behind the US.

The UK response so far includes:

  • matching funding of £25 million in public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine humanitarian appeal;
  • providing humanitarian expertise including NHS-staffed Emergency Medical Teams, logistical support which is currently leading the charge on getting medical supplies into Ukraine, UK teams on the ground assessing needs and providing support; the option to draw on the UK Armed Forces to support NATO countries with humanitarian pressures;
  • providing defensive military aid to Ukraine, continuing to work with international partners to supply defensive weaponry to the Ukrainian Armed Forces;
  • coordinating with partners on sanctions aimed at starving the Russian government of funds to further its unprovoked war against Ukraine, imposing wide-ranging sanctions on Russian businesses, banks and individuals, including a joint decision by all G7 countries to remove Russian banks from the SWIFT system, in addition to our existing sanctions;
  • On 7 March 02022, FCDO announced an additional £100 million of humanitarian assistance, taking the total UK offer of support to the Ukraine crisis to £394 million. This total includes:
    • £220 million humanitarian assistance – used to save lives, protect vulnerable people inside the country and in the wider region.
    • £100 million of ODA – to bolster the Ukrainian economy and reduce Ukraine’s reliance on Russian gas imports.
    • and £74 million announced on 7 March 2022 – for the Ukrainian government budget to mitigate financial pressures created by Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion.


FCDO statement on attack on Erbil, Iraq

Government response

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have issued a statement in response to yesterday’s attack on Erbil, Iraq.

FCDO Spokesperson:

The UK condemns the senseless attack by Iran on Erbil last night which is an unprovoked violation of Iraqi sovereignty. We continue to support the security and stability of Iraq including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Published 13 March 2022