This Nobel Peace Prize front-runner didn’t win, but he did get an ‘alternative Nobel’

the Emergency response rooms in Sudan (ERRs) were considered front-runners for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, although they did not end up winning. It is the second year in a row that they have been nominated. The group got both Rafto Award And a Right Livelihood Award (Sometimes referred to as "Alternative Nobel").

When they presented their award, the Right Livelihood team wrote, "Beyond saving lives, emergency response operations foster a culture of compassion and solidarity that lays the foundation for Sudan’s future civil society and democratic renewal."

(The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 was awarded to Maria Corina Machado to "Her tireless work to advance the democratic rights of the people of Venezuela.")

Sudan has been devastated by the civil war that broke out in April 2023. The Sudan Emergency Response Teams are a network of thousands of volunteers within the country who have responded by providing food, shelter, medical and psychological support, and education to Sudanese affected by the war. Volunteers include health workers, teachers, farmers and engineers. Local organizers within communities in need help coordinate the logistics of getting aid where it needs to go. the "Rooms" Review the online group chats where the program was initially formulated.

The group receives its funding from a variety of sources, including large and small private donors, and the British and Dutch governments. Sudan Humanitarian FundInternational non-governmental organizations and private institutions.

During this humanitarian awards season, NPR reached out to Amasi, a student at National Ribat University and a volunteer with Sudan Emergency Response. The group asked that its full name not be used because its members have been targeted by belligerents on both sides of the war. Amasi spoke about her work with the relief organization and its vital importance to a besieged country.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

You are one of More than 12 million people In Sudan who were displaced due to the war. With all the trauma involved, what motivated you to get involved in emergency response rooms in Sudan?

I got to know her through ERR’s WhatsApp group. At that time, I had exams and was very busy. But I realized that they were doing great things for people affected by the war. They would find those in need and provide them with food and even clean water to drink. They want everyone to be safe, healthy and educated. These are the basic rights that every human being should have.

So I said, "Okay, I’ll be with you."

These are our people in need. They are our sisters, they are our brothers, our mothers, our fathers and our uncles. Even as I try to eat or drink something in a safe place, I remember those other people in need. This is difficult so you will do your best to save them from this feeling.

Once you’re involved, how can you get these items to people in need?

Sometimes the roads are destroyed and the people of war may be in the place where we want to send things.

My job is to gather information about families in a particular area and determine the best way to help, whether that is through cooked meals, supplies or cash. If we send money, people can then buy their own food and clean water and share it with others. Or they cook food in one place and share it. That’s what it’s called Thank you. Families bring plates and dishes and eat food in these shared kitchens.

Most importantly, we follow up to make sure support reaches those who really need it.

These communities are concerned for women, children, the elderly and the sick – who cannot go without food or water for days. So they feel that our help is saving their lives.

And I’m happy too. It motivates me to give them more and more.

This effort has deep Sudanese value. Can you explain what this is?

Yes, that term Naviwhich comes from the Arabic language, It means work or teamwork. It goes way back.

Suppose you need to build your own house. Then all the neighbors will come and help you as volunteers – out of kindness and love. They may not even be your relatives! Even schools were built this way.

Since the war started, we have seen Navi In hospitals and universities where people help each other. They clean roads and help repair damaged areas.

It is the kindness of the Sudanese and their love for their country, their neighbors and their society.

This is it NaviIt is at the core of the work of emergency response rooms in Sudan.

Does this work have its challenges?

Yes, it’s not easy at all.

The most difficult thing is losing contact with the local organizers of the ERR network. This happens due to the unreliability of the phone network and the Internet. Without reliable communication, it will be difficult to know what is happening on the ground and get the information we need. Poor communication can also get in the way of helping us solve problems such as how to find food and water or how to locate a good place to do group cooking.

Then you have the situation where our employees go to the market to buy things. And maybe they’ll find a soldier there asking, "Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?"

Some people cannot understand that you are a peaceful volunteer trying to help those suffering from war.

What moments of connection have you experienced through your participation?

The joyful moment is when you contact the local organizer and they tell you that this week was a success. We did our job and there were no problems. Help has reached the people there. And you feel a kind of peace and happiness… even as you look forward to what’s next.

This is the most enjoyable feeling, actually.

Sudan’s emergency response rooms were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year and last year. How does that make you feel?

It’s exciting because it lets people know about the work we’re trying to do. Sudan is a big place and the need for it is great. Raising awareness will motivate others to volunteer to help all those who are suffering. This way we can work for peace where everyone can live their simple, happy and healthy lives.

What awaits your country in your opinion?

We hope that this war will stop. If that happens, we want to do our best to improve our country from all this damage. We want to restore and improve our healthcare, schools and universities. We want to make sure that all people – from children to the elderly – realize their right to live in peace.

Copyright 2025, NPR