Since the war in Sudan began in 2023, grassroots, volunteer-led mutual aid groups – the Emergency Rooms (ERRs) – have delivered vital humanitarian assistance and played a key role in safeguarding civilian life across the country in the face of the devastating conflict. The work of the ERRs is grounded in the Sudanese tradition of 'nafeer', an Arabic word meaning collective action.

Less documented is the critical role Sudanese women play in responding to humanitarian needs arising from the conflict. They are at the forefront of providing medical assistance and psychosocial support, creating safe spaces for children and responding to gender-based violence.

In this episode, we are joined by Alaa Hassan Taris and Khalid Gurashi, representatives of the ERRs who were in London to receive the Chatham House Prize in recognition of their crucial role in delivering humanitarian support during the ongoing war in Sudan. Dr Eva Khair, founder of the Sudan Transnational Consortium, also joins the conversation with Alaa and Khalid to discuss how vital grassroots-led responses are within the wider international humanitarian picture and highlight the imperative for continued advocacy on the global stage.

Find more information about the ERRs and how to support their work here.

The Chatham House Prize 2025 was generously supported by Dr Mo Ibrahim, Open Society Foundations and Quadrature Climate Foundation.