CCOUC Celebrates World Humanitarian Day and Participates in GX Foundation Volunteer Appreciation Event

The Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC) participated in the World Humanitarian Day celebration and Volunteer Appreciation Event organised by GX Foundation on 19 August 2026. Held at GX Foundation's new global headquarters on Hospital Road in Hong Kong, the occasion brought together humanitarian practitioners, volunteers, institutional partners and students to recognise contributions to international medical humanitarian assistance and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism.

The event also provided an opportunity to learn about GX Foundation's new headquarters, housed in a historic building that has been carefully renovated to support its humanitarian work. During the opening programme, the Foundation's Chairman highlighted its achievements in delivering medical humanitarian assistance across Asia and Africa, including more than 38,000 cataract surgeries. He also introduced the “Five Mosquito Protections” approach to dengue prevention and control, emphasising the importance of public health diplomacy, disease prevention and international cooperation in humanitarian practice.

As part of the Volunteer Appreciation Event, CCOUC received a certificate of appreciation in recognition of its contributions to humanitarian activities. The occasion also brought together colleagues from The Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK) JC School of Public Health and Primary Care and CUHK Medicine students who had participated in the CCOUC Humanitarian Field Training Programme in Cambodia in July 2026. Their reunion provided an opportunity to reflect on practical experiences in community health interventions and humanitarian field training.

The event highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships, volunteer engagement and cross-sector collaboration in advancing global health and humanitarian response. CCOUC's participation reflected its ongoing commitment to connecting academic research, humanitarian education and frontline practice, while fostering opportunities for students and professionals to contribute to international humanitarian initiatives.