Dr. Jamal Eltaeb Receives Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity 2025

On November 6, 2025, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative announced that Dr. Jamal Eltaeb was awarded the esteemed Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity for the year 2025. This recognition comes with a grant of $1 million, aimed at supporting individuals who risk their lives to rescue others. Dr. Eltaeb was honored for his exceptional bravery and unwavering commitment to providing medical care to those trapped in conflict zones in Sudan, particularly during the ongoing civil war that has devastated the nation's healthcare infrastructure.

Despite facing repeated airstrikes and a collapsing healthcare system, Dr. Eltaeb managed to keep the Al Nao hospital operational in Omdurman, one of the last functional specialized hospitals near Khartoum, showcasing his resilience and leadership in extreme circumstances. "Growing up, I realized how fragile life can be, and how significant the care and knowledge of a single individual can be. I wanted to become a doctor to help people during their toughest times," Dr. Eltaeb stated during the awards ceremony.

His receipt of the Aurora Prize encourages healthcare workers, educators, humanitarian aid providers, and ordinary people across the globe to persevere, illustrating that even the smallest act of kindness can bring hope. "In an age where indifference is spreading and compassion is endangered, Dr. Eltaeb is living proof that humanity has not vanished," said Noubar Afeyan, co-founder and chair of the Aurora Initiative. He emphasized that Dr. Eltaeb’s dedication reminds us of our shared responsibility to uphold the humanitarian spirit.

The announcement of Dr. Eltaeb as the 2025 laureate took place during a ceremony held at Ellis Island, a symbol of safety and new beginnings, commemorating ten years of the Aurora Initiative's global efforts in highlighting humanitarian workers on the front lines of crises. The selection of Dr. Eltaeb came from over 800 nominees, establishing him as the recipient of significant financial support to strengthen his humanitarian work and assist local leaders and small organizations focused on helping those in distress.

In the face of unimaginable danger and suffering, Dr. Eltaeb has exemplified what genuine humanitarian leadership embodies. Lord Ara Darzi, chair of the selection committee and co-director of the Institute for Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, stated that the Aurora Initiative is honored to support his mission. He highlighted Dr. Eltaeb’s selflessness as a reminder of the enduring possibility for humanity to prevail even during times of war.

Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, Dr. Eltaeb has constantly faced challenges due to airstrikes, inadequate infrastructure, and severe shortages of electricity and medical supplies. Still, he has managed to provide care for hundreds of injured, displaced, and critically ill individuals. Under his leadership, Al Nao Hospital has become a lifeline for the area, symbolizing courage, solidarity, and unwavering commitment to saving lives under dire conditions.

Chelsea Clinton, a member of the Aurora Prize selection committee and vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, remarked, "Dr. Eltaeb embodies a mindset that rejects indifference. His service to humanity goes beyond just saving lives; it also helps to maintain dignity and essential care in the community during one of the worst conflicts in Sudan's history."

The event also acknowledged other remarkable humanitarian workers, including Sally Becker, Dr. Zouhair Lahna, and Dr. Jill Seaman as exceptional Aurora 2025 humanitarian workers, while highlighting notable philanthropists who exemplify the initiative's core value of "Gratitude in Action": Henrietta H. Fore, Graca Machel, Michael Milken, and David Rubenstein.

The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025. It is the flagship program of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, which was established in honor of survivors of the Armenian genocide and in gratitude to those who saved them. Over the past decade, the initiative has built a global network that has assisted more than 3.5 million people affected by humanitarian crises, supporting individuals dedicated to helping others and fostering humanity and solidarity into the future.

For more information, visit www.AuroraHumanitarian.org.