Five Women Honored with UNHCR Nansen Awards for Transformative Work with Refugees
Five remarkable women—a nun, activist, social entrepreneur, volunteer aid worker, and advocate for ending statelessness—are being recognized with the 2024 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for their transformative work supporting displaced communities. The global laureate, Sister Rosita Milesi from Brazil, has spent nearly 40 years championing the rights of refugees and migrants. As a lawyer and social worker, she has helped thousands access essential services and was pivotal in shaping Brazil's 1997 refugee law to align with international standards and protect refugee rights.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, commended the winners for their dedication, noting how these women have advanced humanitarian responses and influenced local and national policies. Sister Rosita expressed her commitment to helping refugees, stating, “I’m inspired by the growing need to help, to welcome, and to integrate refugees."
The regional awardees are: Maimouna Ba from Burkina Faso, who helped displaced women and children access education and financial independence; Jin Davod, a Syrian refugee in Europe who created a mental health support platform for trauma survivors; Nada Fadol, a Sudanese refugee aiding families fleeing to Egypt; and Deepti Gurung from Nepal, who campaigned for citizenship reforms to help stateless individuals.
Additionally, the people of Moldova will receive an honorary mention for their compassionate response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, welcoming over one million people despite economic challenges. The awards will be presented on October 14 in Geneva, featuring performances by prominent artists and hosted by South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha.
