Sudan’s emergency volunteer network wins Norway’s top human rights award

Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), a grassroots network of volunteer aid groups, have been awarded the 2025 Rafto Prize for human rights work, in recognition of their life-saving efforts amid the country’s deepening war and humanitarian collapse.

Founded during the 2023 civil war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the ERRs emerged as a vital force in the absence of state infrastructure. Comprised of thousands of self-organized volunteers, the ERRs deliver food, medical aid, and emergency evacuations to civilians — often at great personal risk. Announcing the award, the Rafto Foundation praised the ERRs “for their courageous work to preserve the most fundamental human right — the right to life”. The network’s volunteers have also taken on the critical role of documenting civilian abuses, despite frequent communications blackouts and hostility from both warring sides.

According to the United Nations, Sudan is now facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands dead and over 14 million displaced. ERR members, rooted in Sudan’s earlier pro-democracy resistance, have set up community kitchens, distributed aid, and supported public health efforts in areas devastated by famine and cholera. More than 100 ERR volunteers have been killed since the conflict began, according to reports cited by the foundation. The Rafto Foundation called on both military factions to agree to a ceasefire and respect international humanitarian law. Past Rafto Prize laureates also include four notable individuals — Aung San Suu Kyi, Jose Ramos-Horta, Kim Dae-Jung and Shirin Ebadi — all of whom were later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which is also presented in Norway.