On Saturday, World Central Kitchen’s volunteer Damian Soból, who was killed in an IDF attack on a humanitarian convoy in Gaza, was laid to rest at the Main Cemetery on Słowackiego Street in Przemyśl, southeastern Poland. Before the mass, an advisor to President Andrzej Duda addressed the congregation, conveying the president’s posthumous tribute to the volunteer.
Soból was honored with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Rebirth of Poland, the second most important civilian distinction in the country, for his exceptional dedication to aiding those in need.
“The activities of the deceased brought glory, not only to him personally, but also to all Poles. Let the posthumously awarded Knight’s Cross of the Order of Rebirth of Poland be an expression of our deep respect and inextinguishable memory of him. To the relatives, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, I offer my deepest sympathy. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord,” President Duda wrote in the letter.
After the end of the Mass, Podkarpackie Province governor Teresa Kubas-Hul read out a letter of condolence from Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in which the head of the ministry recalled the tragic circumstances of Damian’s death, when, with his colleagues from the World Central Kitchen organization, he was bringing aid to the starving residents of the Gaza Strip.
“In the past, Damian Soból brought help to the people of Africa and Turkey, and in his hometown of Przemyśl, (...) he helped Ukrainians, women and children fleeing Russian bombs. Such actions are a testament to humanity, proof that even in the worst times of wars, blood, and tears, there are brave people who light up the dark world of conflicts with their attitude full of love for their neighbor and devotion to the other. I believe that the values he represented live on in the hearts of thousands of volunteers, and Damian will be a role model for them. May he rest in peace,” Sikorski wrote in a letter of condolence.
In addition to Damian Soból’s family and loved ones, the solemn mass was attended by representatives of state authorities, as well as Palestinian Ambassador to Poland Mahmoud Khalifa, and World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres.
The funeral procession included several hundred people. Damian Soból’s body was laid to rest at the Main Cemetery on Słowackiego Street, in section P-76.
Volunteer Damian Soból was killed on April 1 as a result of an attack on a convoy of the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen, delivering food in the Gaza Strip. The convoy came under aerial fire from the Israeli military in the coastal town of Dajr al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Seven people were killed, including Australian and British citizens, one person with U.S.-Canadian citizenship and a Palestinian driver.
After the end of the Mass, Podkarpackie Province governor Teresa Kubas-Hul read out a letter of condolence from Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in which the head of the ministry recalled the tragic circumstances of Damian’s death, when, with his colleagues from the World Central Kitchen organization, he was bringing aid to the starving residents of the Gaza Strip.
“In the past, Damian Soból brought help to the people of Africa and Turkey, and in his hometown of Przemyśl, (...) he helped Ukrainians, women and children fleeing Russian bombs. Such actions are a testament to humanity, proof that even in the worst times of wars, blood, and tears, there are brave people who light up the dark world of conflicts with their attitude full of love for their neighbor and devotion to the other. I believe that the values he represented live on in the hearts of thousands of volunteers, and Damian will be a role model for them. May he rest in peace,” Sikorski wrote in a letter of condolence.
In addition to Damian Soból’s family and loved ones, the solemn mass was attended by representatives of state authorities, as well as Palestinian Ambassador to Poland Mahmoud Khalifa, and World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres.
The funeral procession included several hundred people. Damian Soból’s body was laid to rest at the Main Cemetery on Słowackiego Street, in section P-76.
Volunteer Damian Soból was killed on April 1 as a result of an attack on a convoy of the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen, delivering food in the Gaza Strip. The convoy came under aerial fire from the Israeli military in the coastal town of Dajr al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Seven people were killed, including Australian and British citizens, one person with U.S.-Canadian citizenship and a Palestinian driver.
“Damian was an angel among volunteers. And his place shouldn’t be at the cemetery, nor in Heaven. His place should be among people on earth, he should continue to help. They took away a wonderful volunteer from us,” Lucyna a resident of Przemyśl, told TVP World's Kazimierz Łysiak.
As she and many others stressed, Damian worked as a volunteer earlier, having also been involved in, e.g. assisting Ukrainian refugees at the border, which is located just 10 kilometers beyond the outskirts of Przemyśl.
“Damian was the best of the best. He was a really solid human being and you know, we're all heartbroken,” Brian Sack of the World Central Kitchen told TVP World in a trembling voice as he tried to stem back tears.
As she and many others stressed, Damian worked as a volunteer earlier, having also been involved in, e.g. assisting Ukrainian refugees at the border, which is located just 10 kilometers beyond the outskirts of Przemyśl.
“Damian was the best of the best. He was a really solid human being and you know, we're all heartbroken,” Brian Sack of the World Central Kitchen told TVP World in a trembling voice as he tried to stem back tears.
Source:
More In Society MORE...
