Prince Harry delivered a powerful message of support to recovered addicts during his visit to Jordan, declaring that "there's no shame in having an addiction" and encouraging them to return to their communities to assist others. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made this impactful statement during the second day of their trip to Jordan, where they toured the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in the capital city of Amman.
Emotional Visit to Rehabilitation Centre
The royal couple spent time at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts, which Harry described as "incredible" after listening to a group of men share their personal stories about the emotional toll of substance abuse and the vital assistance they received from the facility. The Sussexes were invited to write messages of support for the individuals in recovery, leaving handwritten notes on a wall alongside other encouraging messages.
Personal Messages of Encouragement
Prince Harry's message, written on a sticky-note, conveyed heartfelt support: "It's ok to not be ok. Trust each other. Congratulations on your recovery. Now share your courage and experience." Meghan Markle added her own words of encouragement, writing: "Congratulations on your dedication to your care. Wishing you continued healing and happiness." These personal notes were left as permanent reminders of the royal couple's visit and their commitment to supporting addiction recovery efforts.
World Health Organisation Delegation
The visit was organized as part of a World Health Organisation delegation that included Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, who personally invited the couple to Jordan. The engagement highlighted the global importance of addiction treatment and rehabilitation services, with the royal couple participating in discussions about substance abuse recovery programs and their implementation in different cultural contexts.
World Central Kitchen Visit
Following their time at the rehabilitation center, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the regional offices of World Central Kitchen (WCK), where they learned about the organization's massive logistical operation to feed approximately one million Palestinians in Gaza. During their visit, they participated in a video call with a distribution leader at one of WCK's six field kitchens in Palestinian territory, which produces daily hot meals for around 60% of the population.
Wadhah Hubaishi, WCK's response director for the Middle East and North Africa, explained to the couple that ochre and rice was the meal scheduled for distribution that Thursday, describing it as "one of our most delicious meals for the Gaza people." He detailed the challenges of their operation, noting that "we need 20 trucks of supplies every day from Egypt, not enough trucks are coming in, that really affects us more than any other actor."
Human Stories Behind the Humanitarian Effort
Mr. Hubaishi shared touching stories that highlighted the dire need for food assistance in Gaza, including the poignant account of a three-year-old boy who had never seen a banana before. He explained how the child ate the fruit and then asked his father "can I eat the peel?" These personal narratives underscored the human impact of the humanitarian crisis and WCK's mission to provide "food with smiles" through Gazans helping Gazans.
The royal couple's visit to Jordan encompassed both addiction recovery support and humanitarian aid awareness, demonstrating their continued commitment to social causes and mental health advocacy on the international stage. Their engagement with both the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts and World Central Kitchen highlighted interconnected issues of health, recovery, and basic human needs in challenging circumstances.
