Louise Amodio
24 February, 2025
News

Milton Keynes' CEO of World Vision Congratulated for 75th Anniversary by King Charles at Buckingham Palace

Fola Komolafe MBE DL, CEO of the largest international children's charity - World Vision - with UK headquarters in Milton Keynes - was congratulated at a humanitarian aid reception at Buckingham Palace this Thursday. 

King Charles III greets World Vision UK CEO, Fola Komolafe MBE DL, and Disasters Emergency Committee CEO, Salah Saeed at humanitarian reception at Buckingham Palace.

With over 300 million people, globally, predicted to require humanitarian assistance in 2025, HM King Charles was keen to demonstrate his support of humanitarian efforts and particularly recognised the 75 years of emergency assistance provided by World Vision.

The reception was hosted by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla alongside the Princess Royal and the Duke & Duchess of Gloucester and welcomed exceptional individuals and organisations contributing towards humanitarian efforts across the globe. 

"I was so honoured to be able attend, representing my many colleagues across the world who are operating around the clock, helping families and children who are being forced to flee their homes due to conflict, or dealing with devastating climate-related disasters such as floods and drought," said Fola Komolafe, World Vision UK CEO. 

"World Vision is the largest international children's charity in the world - we help 1 in 4 of all those receiving humanitarian aid, but needs are fast outpacing resources, we need to do more. It was an honour to have our 75th Anniversary marked in this way. Highlighting the importance of international aid is such a vital part of our work to keep the urgent flow of funds from private and public donors coming to enable what we do."

At the reception The King and Queen also saw a moving collection of images from the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The images had been sent to The King for World Humanitarian Day in August 2024. The 15 images, one from each of DEC’s member charities, covered work from DEC’s recent emergency appeals to support work in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Pakistan and Turkiye-Syria – as well as Sudan, where the DEC is closely monitoring the ongoing humanitarian situation.

World Vision and Disaster Emergency Committee CEOs introduce King Charles and Queen Camilla to humanitarian aid photo gallery
World Vision and Disaster Emergency Committee CEOs introduce King Charles and Queen Camilla to humanitarian aid photo gallery Credit: Ian Jones 2025