Global Humanitarians Shortlisted for Prestigious 2025 Aurora Prize

ArmInfo. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative today announced the four 2025 Aurora Humanitarians (finalists) for the $1 million Aurora Prize for  Awakening Humanity.

The Aurora Prize Selection Committee chose Sally  Becker (UK), Jamal Eltaeb (Sudan), Zouhair Lahna (Morocco), and Jill  Seaman (USA/South Sudan) from a global nominations pool of more than  800 humanitarians and introduced the finalists at a media briefing  and discussion in New York City organized in partnership with the  Overseas Press Club of America (OPC).

One of these four humanitarians will be named as this year's Aurora Prize Laureate at a ceremony set to take place in New York on November 6.  

As humanitarian crises deepen and international donors cut funding,  these exceptional individuals continue to make an impact in their  communities, putting their own lives at risk as they save children in  war zones, keep hospitals open under fire, and bring lifesaving  treatment to remote and conflict-affected communities.  

The 2025 Aurora Humanitarians are: 

Sally Becker (UK), a humanitarian who evacuated hundreds of children  from besieged areas during conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo and founded  organizations providing emergency pediatric care. Ms. Becker later  expanded her work to Iraq, Ukraine, and Gaza, launching a  telemedicine program that links local clinicians to a global  pediatric network.

Jamal Eltaeb (Sudan), a medical doctor who has kept Al Nao Hospital  in Omdurman functioning as one of the last referral hospitals in  greater Khartoum since the war escalated in April 2023. Dr. Eltaeb's  leadership allowed the hospital to remain open despite repeated  bombardment, extreme resource shortages, and infrastructure collapse,  helping save hundreds of lives.

Zouhair Lahna (Morocco), an obstetrician-gynecologist who has worked  in conflict zones and disaster areas for more than two decades,  delivering care, training local staff, and mobilizing support. Dr.  Lahna has served in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo  (DRC), Syria, Yemen, Libya, Uganda, and most recently Gaza, where he  has completed repeated rotations since October 2023.

Jill Seaman (USA/South Sudan), a physician who co-founded South Sudan  Medical Relief and has provided critical care in the  conflict-affected town of Old Fangak for more than three decades,  treating around 40,000 patients annually. Dr. Seaman is credited with  pioneering visceral leishmaniasis and tuberculosis protocols,  training local health workers, and providing hands-on care to  communities both in South Sudan and rural Alaska.

"These four Aurora Humanitarians are a powerful reminder that even in  the darkest of times, the courage, compassion, and commitment of a  few can light the way for many," said Lord Ara Darzi, Chair of the  Aurora Prize Selection Committee and Co-Director of the Institute of  Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London. "It is a  privilege to honor their extraordinary contributions and the hope  they offer to the world's most vulnerable." 

With 2025 on track to be the deadliest year on record for  humanitarian workers, the Aurora Prize specifically recognizes local  humanitarian leaders working on the front lines of the world's most  dangerous crises. The Laureate will receive $1 million to support  their courageous work and extend their impact by funding local  humanitarians and grassroots organizations.  

"What stands out in this year's nominations is the sheer bravery,  ingenuity, and determination of individuals drawing on firsthand  knowledge and local insight to respond when no one else will. Their  work is a powerful reminder that transformative change often begins  at the local level, led by those who know their communities best for  thoughtful, long-term solutions," added Leymah Gbowee, Aurora Prize  Selection Committee member, Nobel Peace Laureate, and renowned  Liberian peace activist and women's rights advocate. 

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will announce the 2025 Laureate on  November 6 at the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony on New York's Ellis  Island. At this historic landmark symbolizing refuge and hope, Aurora  will honor extraordinary humanitarians who risk their lives to save  others. 

The Ceremony will also celebrate the generosity of philanthropists  and changemakers who exemplify the Aurora's core value of 'Gratitude  in Action.' Honorees include Henrietta Fore, Graca Machel, Michael  Milken, and David Rubenstein. The evening will be co-hosted by  award-winning journalist Judy Woodruff and bestselling author David  Ignatius and will feature live performances from Grammy-nominated  artists Rufus Wainwright and Aloe Blacc.