British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shocked diplomats, army personnel, charity employees and different public servants working internationally this Christmas by calling them to personally thank them for his or her sacrifice and dedication in an “extraordinary” yr.

Downing Street stated the British Indian chief’s calls on Friday to diplomats included one to Pakistan to Sherwan Asif, who has labored for the British High Commission in Islamabad for greater than 12 years.

He was on the forefront of the UK’s response to the devastating floods that ravaged the nation in June and Sherwan recognized areas in vital want and ensured UK’s funding reached essentially the most weak, Downing Street stated.

“Whether you are working in Mogadishu or Milton Keynes this Christmas, I want you to know that I am personally grateful for your sacrifice,” stated Sunak.

“This year has been an extraordinary year for so many reasons, but most of all, it’s been a year in which the true spirit and resilience of the United Kingdom has been on the show, from the support given to our Ukrainian friends, to the work being done to ensure essential aid reaches the most vulnerable overseas,” he stated.

“And closer to home, those who have checked on friends and neighbours, volunteers, public servants and essential service staff all working over Christmas – I am truly humbled by your dedication and I know your selflessness this festive season will spread cheer across the country,” he added.

Alongside Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton and First Sea Lord Admiral Ben Key, Sunak made the calls to diplomats in Somalia and Ukraine, in addition to a Royal Navy ship crusing in Antarctica.

In the UK, Sunak shocked Chris Mitchell who runs Smart Play, an award-winning government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme in London.

Sunak heard first-hand how Mitchell and his crew are supporting weak youngsters throughout the world with enjoyable actions and nutritious meals all through the varsity holidays.

Speaking to diplomat Nic Guffog, who is predicated in Mogadishu, Somalia, the UK prime minister heard how the overseas workplace staffer had been utilizing her breather breaks and flights from the UK again to Somalia to herald Christmas decorations for the UK’s diplomatic compound in Mogadishu.

She instructed Sunak how workers in Mogadishu have been dwelling in containers below the specter of terror assaults, and would spend Christmas supporting efforts to counter the risk posed by Al-Shabaab and serving to the Somalian authorities cope with the starvation disaster dealing with the nation.

Guffog, who takes care of the embassy compound in East Africa, stated the order for Christmas dinner needed to be positioned within the spring, and had lately arrived by container ship.

This yr’s celebrations have been notably particular for the embassy after a COVID outbreak final yr meant workers couldn’t sit collectively within the compound on Christmas Day.

Also on the decision checklist was Svita Yavorska, who has spent the yr working for the UK’s embassy in Ukraine from Kyiv, Warsaw and now Lviv.

Svita instructed the prime minister how she needed to flee to Poland following the warfare in Ukraine, earlier than organising the embassy’s non permanent base in Poland.

Finally, Sunak spoke to a number of the crew of HMS Protector, which is at present deployed off the coast of the South Sandwich Islands, updating navigational charts utilizing the newest sonar know-how, monitoring the retreat of glaciers and ice cabinets, and supporting the British Antarctic Survey scientists by delivering very important provides and fixing any engineering points.

Sunak heard how the shipmates are experiencing 20 hours of daylight a day, and had seen whales, penguins and endangered turtles throughout their deployment, in addition to surveying underwater volcanos, and dropping 7-1 to members of the Monserrat nationwide soccer crew throughout a pleasant recreation on shore.

Asking about their Christmas plans, the sailors instructed him they’d deliberate numerous celebrations between conserving watch on the ship, together with a elaborate gown social gathering and Christmas dinner for the ship’s firm.