This year’s Nansen Award honourees include five outstanding individuals and organizations from Cameroon, Mexico, Ukraine, Iraq and Tajikistan, all recognized for their courage, compassion and steadfast efforts to protect people forced to flee. Established in 1954, the award honours those who go above and beyond in supporting refugees, internally displaced people and stateless communities. Announcing the winners, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said their actions prove that even in difficult times, humanity and empathy continue to shine through.
The 2025 global laureate, Chief Martin Azia Sodea of Cameroon, has become a powerful symbol of leadership and solidarity. When tens of thousands of refugees fled violence in the Central African Republic and arrived in his village, he and his community vowed not to turn anyone away. Under his leadership, villagers shared land, resources and support, enabling 36,000 people to rebuild their lives. He emphasized that all people deserve care and dignity, recalling moments when villagers rescued exhausted refugees who collapsed on their journey. His example of unity has inspired other leaders across the region to adopt inclusive approaches.
Regional laureates from four countries will also be recognized. In Mexico, business leader Pablo Moreno Cadena has championed refugee inclusion by encouraging the hiring of displaced people within the major appliance manufacturer MABE, showing how refugee employment strengthens both companies and communities. In Ukraine, the humanitarian organization Proliska continues to deliver urgent assistance to millions, often reaching heavily affected areas shortly after attacks, ensuring people in dangerous zones are not forgotten. In Iraq, survivor-turned-activist Taban Shoresh leads The Lotus Flower, a women-run organization that has supported more than 105,000 conflict survivors through protection services, counseling and livelihood opportunities. In Tajikistan, Afghan refugee Negara Nazari co-founded the Ariana Learning Centre, offering vital education to displaced Afghan children who had been denied schooling, passing forward the opportunities she once received.
Together, the 2025 laureates demonstrate how individual acts of kindness, inclusion and bravery can transform lives. Their stories highlight that even amid crises, compassion endures and continues to inspire hope for displaced people around the world.
