ERRs awarded Chatham House Prize

[John Ashworth]

Chatham House Prize 2025: A humanitarian lifeline in Sudan

Please join us as Sudan’s grassroots mutual aid groups, the Emergency
Response Rooms (ERRs), accept the Chatham House Prize.

26 March 2026

Sudan’s grassroots mutual aid groups–the Emergency Response Rooms
(ERRs)–have been awarded the 2025 Chatham House Prize, in recognition
of their crucial role in delivering humanitarian assistance during the
ongoing war in Sudan.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed by a devastating war between
the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),
triggering one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Over
thirteen million people have been displaced from their homes, with
more than thirty-three million–around two‑thirds of the
population–needing humanitarian assistance. The conflict has
devastated infrastructure and left vast areas without functioning
state institutions, or reliable access to basic services, with women
and children most impacted by the lack of security, healthcare and
livelihoods.

In this context, the ERRs have proven indispensable. These community
networks are said to have been the difference between life and death
for millions–saving lives in areas often inaccessible to international
organizations. They provide essentials like food, water and medical
supplies, and maintain or repair infrastructure such as power and
water systems–all while under risk of attack and obstruction by the
warring parties. Their work has been praised and recognized by several
international bodies, including the Norwegian Nobel Committee,
particularly for their impartial nature and attempts to provide aid to
all those caught up in the conflict.

About the Chatham House Prize

The Chatham House Prize is voted for by Chatham House members,
following nominations from the institute’s staff. The award is
presented on behalf of the institute’s patron, His Majesty the King,
representing the non-partisan and authoritative character of the
Prize.

The Chatham House Prize was launched in 2005. Previous recipients of
the Prize include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sir David
Attenborough, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Médecins Sans
Frontières.

https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/standard-event/chatham-house-prize-2025-humanitarian-lifeline-sudan

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______________________
John Ashworth

ashwor...@gmail.com

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