SOS Mediterranee wins Right Livelihood prize

European Maritime Rescue Organisation SOS Mediterranee was awarded the Right Livelihood prize for its life-saving migrant rescue operations.

During an announcement in Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday, the Right Livelihood Foundation also honours youth-led environmental rights organisation Mother Nature Cambodia, Kenyan environmental activist Phyllis Omido and Ghanaian doctor Eunice Brookman-Amissah for her work in advancing access to safe abortions across Africa.

The four laureates "fight for people's right to health, safety, a clean environment and democracy" the head of the foundation said in a statement. A Swedish-German philatelist founded the Right Livelihood award in 1980 after the foundation behind the Nobel Prizes refused to create new awards honouring efforts in the fields of environment and international development.

The awards "honour and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing today," according to the Right Livelihood foundation.