The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has named RUNA KHAN of Bangladesh among the recipients of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award. She is being recognized for “her profound empathy for the poorest of the poor in her country, and her courage, vision, and tenacity in building and leading Friendship to accomplish her mission. In her hands, privilege became not an entitlement, but a responsibility; not a family legacy to protect, but a gift to be shared so that others, too, might have the chance to live with hope, opportunity, and dignity.”
In 1997, KHAN first visited one of Bangladesh’s remote and shifting river islands, known as chars. This experience led her to begin working with these communities that often face geographic isolation and limited access to essential services. In 2002, she founded Friendship, a grassroots development organization that began with a pioneering floating hospital bringing healthcare to people living in chars.
For more than two decades, KHAN has led Friendship in expanding its work across healthcare, education, climate adaptation, livelihoods, disaster preparedness, and inclusive citizenship. The organization has since grown to serve millions of people across Bangladesh.
Friendship works with communities affected by floods, river erosion, cyclones, displacement, and other climate-related challenges. Its programs combine healthcare and other essential services with initiatives in livelihoods, resilience, and disaster preparedness.
In a statement on being conferred with the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award, KHAN said: “It is with great happiness and profound humility that I accept the Ramon Magsaysay Award. There is no leader who walks alone, so it is an honor for me to receive this on behalf of the unaddressed communities, who allow us to walk beside them; and on behalf of my Friendship family whose tireless devotion makes this work possible every day. I thank also those who have trusted and walked this almost impossible path with me for 25 long years, just believing. My children, whose patience and understanding, leave me in awe. This recognition is a wonderful responsibility, and I offer my deepest gratitude to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation for their trust and for honoring the enduring faith and power of humanity.”
Completing the roster of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees are TOMMY KOH from Singapore, a career diplomat and public servant recognized for his contributions to international diplomacy, global cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes; and BO KYI from Myanmar, a former political prisoner and human rights advocate whose work has given voice to political prisoners and survivors of torture while advancing accountability, justice, and human rights.
The formal presentation of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awards will take place during the 68th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, Philippines at 4:30 PM on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
For more information on the 68th Ramon Magsaysay Awards and the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, visit www.rmaward.asia and the Ramon Magsaysay Award’s official social media accounts.