Celebrating lifesaving action and calling for Aurora Prize nominations
August 19, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – On World Humanitarian Day, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative stands in solidarity with humanitarians across the globe who are risking their lives daily to provide assistance, restore hope, and uphold the dignity of people caught in crisis.
To mark the day, Aurora’s CEO Armine Afeyan and co-founder and president of Women’s Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) Julienne Lusenge share an op-ed on how we can better support those brave humanitarians on the frontlines—read it here.
“World Humanitarian Day is a reminder that even in the darkest places, there are selfless individuals quietly doing the work — not for recognition, but because lives depend on it,” said Dr. Tom Catena, the sole surgeon serving more than a million people in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains and an early recipient of the Aurora Prize. “Don’t forget that there are people here, right now, who need our help. And we must not turn away.”
Amidst historic foreign aid cuts and escalating crises around the world, it is crucial to recognize the resilience and dedication of local humanitarian workers and to mobilize global support in response to the mounting needs on the ground. Nearly 190 million people are living in life-threatening conditions, according to the United Nations, with the number of forcibly displaced persons more than doubling, from 59 million to 123 million, since 2014.
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“Today, we honor not only those who respond to suffering, but also those who inspire others to act. At Aurora, we shine a light on the individuals who step in where institutions fall short. These grassroots humanitarians are the foot soldiers of humanity, working on the ground, often unseen,” noted Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering. “Our mission is to amplify, support their lifesaving work, and remind the world that even in the face of overwhelming need, courage and compassion remain powerful forces for positive change.”
In recognition of World Humanitarian Day, Aurora reaffirms its commitment to the principle of Gratitude in Action—the impulse to give back when you yourself have benefitted from the courageous action of another.
“For us to do this work, we need people who will raise funds. We need people who will tell our stories. We need people who will protect the people we’ve rescued. We need people who will fight fights in rooms that we wouldn’t go to,” stated Dr. Yolanda George-David, Founder of Aunt Landa’s Bethel Foundation in Nigeria. Dr. George-David is part of the network of Aurora Luminaries and has dedicated her life to rehabilitation and empowerment of survivors of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and gender-based violence.
Since its founding, Aurora has impacted the lives of over 3.5 million people across 63 countries and territories through its flagship $1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity and other humanitarian programs. The Initiative encourages individuals and organizations to nominate exceptional humanitarians for the next Aurora Prize to help raise global awareness and provide life-changing support to grassroots efforts making a tangible impact worldwide. On November 6, 2025, Aurora will host the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony on Ellis Island in New York City, honoring exceptional local humanitarians and celebrating a decade of impact. The event will bring together grassroots humanitarians, visionary philanthropists, and global changemakers, including Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners and leaders who serve on the Aurora Prize Selection Committee.
Photo: In the DRC, Julienne Lusenge is helping 40 children reclaim their futures through a project supported by 2024 Aurora Prize Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege’s participatory grant. Image courtesy of SOFEPADI
About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
Aurora Humanitarian Initiative catalyzes lifesaving work by celebrating and supporting exceptional humanitarians around the world. Aurora was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors. Over the past decade, the organization has built a global network and supported more than 3.5 million people affected by humanitarian crises. By funding humanitarians around the world who continue the cycle of giving, this work contributes to proliferating humanitarianism into the future. For more information, please visit www.AuroraHumanitarian.org.
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