Our CEO Taban receives OBE for services to refugees

We’re thrilled to share the news that our Founder and CEO Taban has received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours list for 2024.

Taban’s honour is for services to Refugees and Displaced Conflict Survivors in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and the award will be presented by King Charles or another British royal representative at a special investiture ceremony over the coming months.

On learning of her award, Taban said: “I’m very happy and honoured with this recognition. I came here as a refugee at the age of six seeking safety. Fast forward many years and I'm delighted that I get the opportunity to give back and help those in need. I believe with more compassion, empathy and action we can all be change-makers in this world.”

As you are probably already aware, Taban was imprisoned as a child in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, during Saddam Hussein’s regime, and she and her family narrowly escaped a plot to bury them alive before they were rescued by Amnesty International and flown to the UK as refugees.

In 2016, she started the Lotus Flower in response to the ISIS attacks in her homeland, and to date the organisation has supported more than 60,000 vulnerable conflict survivors through a range of projects and programmes.

An OBE is awarded to those who are deemed to have played a major role in any field or service, and is often given to those whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.

We’re sure you’ll join us in wishing Taban huge congratulations for this incredible honour, which after so many years of hard work and commitment, is richly deserved…