Announcing the award, Peter Laugharn, president and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, said: “With a record 100 million people fleeing war and persecution globally, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s work is imperative right now in terms of the organisation’s ability to reach people in the most difficult of circumstances, and to do so at scale.
“The Jury’s selection of the Norwegian Refugee Council as the recipient of the 2022 Hilton Humanitarian Prize recognises the importance of advocating for displaced people as they build a new future.”
Vital support for the world’s displaced
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC said: “We are honoured to receive this prestigious humanitarian prize at a time when we are challenged like never before in reaching, aiding and protecting people forced to flee by war and repression.”
Around the world today, over 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes – more than ever before in history. Millions of displaced people live in areas that are difficult for aid organisations to reach, often leaving them neglected and without hope.
“We are witnessing one devastating crisis on top of another,” explained Egeland. “Authoritarian regimes and brutal armed actors try to block our access to those in need, and donor purse strings are being tightened, leaving aid budgets decimated. This makes the support and recognition from private sector donors such as the Hilton Foundation vital. The world’s displaced must not be overlooked or forgotten.
“The Prize is a great acknowledgment for our staff, who work tirelessly to assist and advocate for displaced people all over the world under challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances.”
About the Norwegian Refugee Council
Since its foundation in 1946, NRC has worked to protect the rights of people who are displaced by violence and find themselves vulnerable during crisis. We support civilians in armed conflict, prioritising neglected and hard-to-reach areas where access to assistance is limited. Increasingly, we also support people displaced by disasters, the adverse effects of climate change and generalised violence.
NRC’s work is driven by the needs of displaced people. We listen to people in need and collaborate with local organisations and communities to deliver a response that is solutions-orientated and tailored to the context. We also partner with international and national organisations to ensure effective coordination. We stand up for the rights of refugees and internally displaced people who often do not have a voice, and we push for positive change at the highest levels.
In 2021, NRC supported 10 million people worldwide. We currently work in more than 35 countries, in both new and protracted humanitarian crises. This year alone, we have mobilised to support people affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine and the deepening drought in Somalia, to name but a few examples.
About the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize
Each year, the Hilton Foundation reviews nomination submissions from non-profit organisations around the world, and an independent, international panel of jurors makes the final selection after a rigorous vetting process.
To date, the Hilton Foundation has awarded more than $41 million to recipients of the Prize. NRC joins the roster of 26 Prize Laureates, including CAMFED, Homeboy Industries and The Task Force for Global Health.
The Prize will be formally awarded to NRC on 21 October 2022 at the Hilton Humanitarian Symposium and Prize Ceremony. The event will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, under the theme “The Power of Perseverance”.
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