"I know this wasn't easy on you. No other events had faced this many challenges and extreme weather conditions. But also, no other Jamborees in history showed the determination, creativity, and the resilience you have shown," said Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement, Ahmad Alhendawi.

When the event began last week, hundreds of participants fell ill after temperatures hit 93F (34 degrees Celsius) in Saemangeum, the campsite built on reclaimed land where the scouts aged 14-18 were staying.

Scouts from Britain decided to leave the campsite early with the head of their contingent also blaming poor sanitation and lack of food for their departure. U.S. and Singapore scouts followed suit.

A scout official said the heatwave and typhoon made the jamboree, which began on August 1, one of the most challenging to date.