Humanitarian Fault Lines

Jamie speaks with Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank. They discuss how UNRWA is functioning across all occupied Palestine - West Bank and Gaza. Jamie asks him about recent Knesset legislation against UNRWA which has started to go into effect, this includes implementing a no-contact policy between UNRWA and the Israeli authorities. Roland explains the challenges in communicating with staff and authorities given the recent Israeli laws. Jamie asks him if there's contingency plans in place if UNRWA operations are halted. And they discuss what the UN can do to ensure humanitarian support gets to people in the region.

Jamie speaks with Georgios Petropoulos. He's served with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs since 2012. He completed his most recent assignment in January as Head of Suboffice in Gaza. Georgios describes the immediate aftermath of the ceasefire. He explains that there was a sigh of relief as people went back to see what, if anything, was left of their homes. Jamie and Georgios talk about the obstacles in providing basic aid to the area. The challenges include lack of mobility and security. Jamie asks him what impact a ban on UNRWA will have for humanitarian assistance, and Jamie asks him what he believes the future could look like for Gaza.

Jamie speaks with Jean-Guy Vataux, a humanitarian aid worker with MSF who has been in Khartoum and Darfur over the past 18 months. He has been stationed in many conflict areas in Africa and the Middle East over the last 30 years including Sierra Leone, the DRC, and Libya. Jamie and Jean-Guy discuss the war in Sudan and the humanitarian catastrophe in the nation. Jean Guy describes a very difficult situation. He explains that there are multiple challenges such as getting access to those in need and keeping workers safe in conflict zones. Jamie asks him why it seems that Sudan has become a forgotten crisis, with a lack of humanitarian and diplomatic efforts for this conflict. Jean Guy says he hopes for a ceasefire but is preparing for a longer power struggle in the country which will require tremendous humanitarian aid.  

Jamie speaks with Deborah Amos. She's a Ferris Professor of Journalism in Residence at Princeton University. Deborah is an award winning journalist who spent much of her career as an international correspondent for National Public Radio. Her reporting on the Middle East was featured regularly on NPR's flagship programs. She's the author of two books - Eclipse of the Sunnis: Power, Exile, and Upheaval in the Middle East, and Lines in the Sand: Desert Storm and the Remaking of the Arab World. Deborah regularly publishes on her sub-stack page under Deb Amos. Jamie and Deborah discuss the situation in Syria and the possible outcomes for the country after the fall of Assad. Jamie asks her what Trump's return to the White House means for the Middle East, focusing on what his administration could mean for Gaza and the West Bank. He also asks her about western media's coverage of the Middle East and how she responds to criticism that western media has a pro-Israel bias.

Jamie speaks with William Plowright, Assistant Professor of International Security at Durham University. He's a political scientist, humanitarian aid worker, and author with over a decade of experience. William's most recent book is called The War On Rescue. It documents how governments block assistance to people in times of crisis, focusing on the European Migration Crisis. Jamie asks William why European governments have been continuing to push anti-migration initiatives. William shares examples he came across where governments were stifling or intimidating NGO's who assist refugees. Jamie and William also discuss the Mediterranean Sea and the lack of support from refugees who travel across that water.

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Rein Paulsen. He's the Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Office of Emergency and Resilience. They discuss how climate change and conflicts are impacting food security around the world. Jamie asks Rein about COP 29 and the positives he took away from the conference. Jamie also asks him about reports which show hunger levels rising over the last five years. He tells Jamie how the UN is working to reverse those numbers. They talk about the challenges of meeting malnutrition needs with donors pulling back.

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Peter Salisbury. He's a Professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He's a veteran journalist, researcher, and policy analyst with more than 15 years of experience. Peter's focus area is North Africa and the Middle East. They discuss what the incoming Trump administration could mean for geo-politics in the Middle East. Jamie asks Peter why the UN seems to have been sidelined and why conflicts are becoming more difficult to bring to an end. They also talk about NATO and BRICS and the role those groups will have in conflicts going forward.

Jamie speaks with Mercy Corps CEO Tjada D'Oyen McKenna. Mercy Corps is an INGO with a worldwide presence and with a global team of 6,000 humanitarians working together on the front lines of today's biggest crises brought about conflict and climate disaster. They discuss the troubling situations in Gaza and Lebanon. Jamie asks Tjada about operating in the conflict zone and how they keep staff safe. He asks about how the group is working with Israel given reporting that restrictions are being placed on aid. The two also talk about the crises in Haiti and Sudan. Jamie asks Tjada if Mercy Corp has challenges getting the funding to assist in the growing number of global crises.

Jamie is joined by Sean Carroll. He's the CEO & President of Anera. The organization provides humanitarian assistance to refugees in the Middle East, with staff in Gaza, Lebanon, and Jordan. Before Anera, Sean served as the COO & chief of staff at USAID. He also spent six years as program director for the Club of Madrid, a leadership alliance of 106 former presidents and prime ministers. Jamie and Sean speak about the current work of Anera with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Jamie asks him about the challenges in providing basic needs in a war zone. Jamie also asks him if he's concerned that the conflict in Lebanon will divert attention and resources away from Gaza. They discuss violence against aid workers and the lack of a strong response to these actions. 

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam. He's the founder of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO). The group works to provide basic necessities, including food, sanitation, and healthcare. He's a celebrated human rights activist who was jailed multiple times related to his work. Dr. Mudawi has received multiple awards, including the Human Rights First Award. They discuss the current civil war in Sudan. Dr. Mudawi talks about being in Khartoum during the violence, and he explains how the community is coming together to support each other during this difficult time.

Jamie answers questions from listeners. The topics include Gaza and Sudan. Jamie is also asked about the diminishing role of international NGOs and what impact that has on the global humanitarian system. If you would like to ask a question, send an email to FordhamIIHA@gmail.com. You can also leave a question in the comments section on your podcast platform. 

Jamie speaks with Deborah Doane. She's been working as a leader in civil society for over 25 years. She's a Partner of Rights CoLab and co-convenor of the RINGO Project which seeks to reimagine INGOs and their role. Her new book - “The INGO Problem: Power, privilege and renewal” - was recently released. It can be found at bookstores and online. Jamie asks her about the shortcomings of INGOs and how international groups can improve the way they assist local communities. They discuss the relationship between INGOs and national NGOs, including how INGOs stifle the work of national partners. Jamie also brings up localization, a big buzzword in the humanitarian sector right now. Jamie asks Deborah if she really believes localization can be achieved. 

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Scott Anderson. He's the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator and Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza. They spoke on August 20th and discussed the challenges UNRWA faces in the region. Scott details the difficult conditions at medical facilities and the obstacles in getting basic supplies to these health centers. The conversation also includes his response to direct attacks on UNRWA, the process of setting up schools for kids, and his outlook for Gaza once the violence stops. 

Jamie speaks with Yuliya Sporysh. She's the founder of the Ukrainian NGO Girls. The organization was created with a focus on sexual education and to raise awareness about gender-based violence. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the NGO has been providing humanitarian aid, including  MHPSS, cash assistance and child care services. Jamie and Yuliya speak about the challenges in delivering aid while the country is at war. She details obstacles as Russia targets infrastructure in Ukraine, including energy and water resources. Yuliya also explains some of the difficulties in securing funding from donors. She says donors have policies which can delay getting dollars to NGOs on the ground in Ukraine.

Jamie speaks with Martin Griffiths. He served as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations from May 2021 until June 2024. They have a wide ranging conversation on today's top humanitarian issues. Jamie asks him about the challenges in Gaza and Sudan. Jamie also asks him about the criticism directed at the UN and how the institution can improve its reputation. Another topic is humanitarian diplomacy. Martin talks about what it is and why it's needed.  

Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), speaks with Jamie McGoldrick. Prior to becoming Secretary General, Chris held field coordination roles in Sudan, Somalia, and Pakistan. The conversation was recorded in late June. Chris describes a bleak situation. He says preventable deaths are happening because humanitarians are unable to get proper aid into the area. He says MSF is delaying or can't provide basic care until they get more supplies. Outside of Gaza, Chris and Jamie discuss how humanitarian institutions can improve and build trust. They also talk about how humanitarians are dealing with media pressure, with states pushing propaganda on social media. 

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Omima Jabal on Sudan. She's an Emergency Response Rooms member for Khartoum. Jamie asks her how ERR's in Sudan are navigating the challenges in getting aid to communities while war continues. Jamie also asks her how international organizations are supporting local NGO's and if they could be doing more to support civilian groups. Omima is hopeful for Sudan and believes the country can rebuild once the violence ends.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Amjad Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO network in Gaza. Amjad shares stories about life in Gaza and gives a stark assessment of what civilians are dealing with in the region. Jamie asks Amjad about the challenges in getting basic necessities, including food and water. He also asks Amjad about the mental health impact, especially on kids and teens. Amjad discusses his hope for the future and his desire to rebuild when the conflict ends.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, more commonly referred to as UNRWA. Philippe has held this position since early 2020. Before this, he was Deputy UN Special Coordinator (UNSCOL) and  the UN Coordinator for Lebanon. Jamie and Philippe speak about the crisis in Gaza. Philippe calls out the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law by Hamas and Israel. He details the brutal conditions for civilians and aid workers, saying the death toll is appalling. Jamie and Philippe discuss how not respecting humanitarian law in this crisis could set a precedent for behavior by states in future crises. Jamie asks him about allegations and investigations into the behavior of UNRWA staff. Other items discussed include the challenges in getting aid into Gaza and the future for Gaza once the violence subsides. 

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Robert Mardini who has a long, distinguished career in the humanitarian sector. He was part of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC, for close to three decades. He rose to the position of Director General in 2020. Mardini served in that position until March of this year. His next role begins in September when he will serve as Director General of the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland's largest university hospital. Jamie asks Robert about the challenges humanitarians face with the current crises in Gaza and Sudan. He also asks him about the complex nature of the ICRC and how the different functions of the Red Cross work together. Other topics include the UN being paralyzed by competing interests of members, the role media plays in shaping crises, and how the humanitarian system can function more effectively. 

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Larry Hollingworth. Jamie served as the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on an interim basis from January through early April. Larry is a visiting professor for the IIHA with an extensive resume. He spent decades with the UN after a career with the British Army, serving as a Coordinator in several places including Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine. His book is titled Aid Memoir. In this bonus conversation, the two discuss the humanitarian sector as a whole. Larry asks Jamie what qualities make someone an exceptional leader in a crisis situation. They also talk about if humanitarians are staying too long in certain areas, and if the long term presence in some regions is doing more harm than good. Jamie gives a sober assessment of the aid world, saying resources are stretched thin and it will be challenging for the sector to continue dealing with the growing number of crises.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Larry Hollingworth. Jamie served as the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on an interim basis from January through early April. Larry is a visiting professor for the IIHA with an extensive resume. He spent decades with the UN after a career with the British Army, serving as a Coordinator in several places including Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine. His book is titled Aid Memoir. The two discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Jamie shares his experience with coordinating aid to the area and the challenges humanitarians are facing as they respond to the crisis. Larry and Jamie also talk about a possible invasion of Rafah, communication between humanitarians and Israeli officials, and mental health needs that will persist for years even after the crisis ends.

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Francis Deng. He has served in the United Nations as South Sudan's first independent ambassador and spent time as Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide. He's also served as Ambassador of Sudan to Nordic Countries, Canada, and the United States and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Francis has written and edited dozens of books, including “War of Visions: Conflict of Identities in the Sudan.” Jamie and Dr. Deng discuss conflict and crises in Sudan and South Sudan. Dr. Deng explains issues in South Sudan and offers what he believes are solutions to improve the lives of people in the country. Jamie asks him about the civil war in Sudan. Dr. Deng says there are flaws in how the international community approaches the conflict in the country, and he argues for a more nuanced approach to finding a resolution. Dr. Deng also offers criticism of UN peacekeepers and the role they've played in the region.

The second part of Jamie McGoldrick's conversation with Dr. Arif Husain, Chief Economist & Director of Research, Assessments & Monitoring Division at United Nations World Food at WFP. The conversation was recorded in late 2023. Jamie asks Dr. Husain how the WFP responds during conflicts, including the current one in Gaza. Jamie also asks about funding cuts which are forcing the organization to make difficult decisions on where to allocate resources. Jamie and Dr. Husain discuss the growing number of people facing hunger and famine, and how the humanitarian world can better respond. Dr. Husain emphasizes that governments and the private sector need to step up in the battle against food insecurity.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Arif Husain, Chief Economist & Director of Research, Assessments & Monitoring Division at United Nations World Food at WFP. The conversation was recorded in late 2023. Jamie asks Dr. Husain how the WFP responds during conflicts, including the current one in Gaza. Jamie also asks about funding cuts which are forcing the organization to make difficult decisions on where to allocate resources. Jamie and Dr. Husain discuss the growing number of people facing hunger and famine, and how the humanitarian world can better respond. Dr. Husain emphasizes that governments and the private sector need to step up in the battle against food insecurity.

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Andrew Harper, Special Advisor to the High Commissioner for Refugees on Climate Action at the United Nations. The conversation was recorded late in 2023. A big part of Andrew's job is anticipating where climate shocks will happen so the UN has a plan in place ahead of time. He tells Jamie that climate events require a complex response, explaining that people can be displaced, shelter destroyed, and supply lines disrupted. Jamie asks Andrew about the term “climate refugees.” The UNHCR doesn't use that phrasing, instead opting to go with different language when people are displaced from a climate event. Andrew emphasizes that the private sector needs to step up when it comes to dealing with climate change. He says there's currently not enough funding to deal with climate preparedness.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Yuval Shany. He's a lecturer in Public International Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute. He has published an essay titled “Unpacking Key Assumptions Underlying Legal Analyses of the 2023 Hamas-Israel War.” Jamie and Yuval spoke in early December about the conflict, with Yuval giving legal interpretations for Israel's actions since Hamas' attack on October 7th. He acknowledges that some of the actions Israel has taken are questionable under international law, but he says in any violent conflict, there are actions which are not fully compatible with the law. Yuval says Israel does accept the laws of war and has made efforts to limit the loss of civilian lives, including giving advance notice of attacks so civilians could leave certain areas. Jamie asks Yuval what his response is to those who say Israel is blatantly violating international and humanitarian law. The two also discuss the UN's reputation in Israel, the possibility for more humanitarian ceasefires, and what the future could look like for Gaza.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Tania Hary, Executive Director at Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, an Israeli not-for-profit organization which advocates for the freedom of movement of Palestinians. The conversation was recorded recently about the situation in Gaza. Tania says there's a “deep trauma” in Israel about the attack on October 7th. She explains that views have hardened, which makes it difficult to find a solution to the crisis in Gaza. Jamie asks Tania questions on international and humanitarian law and how they relate to attacks Israel is carrying out in Gaza. They discuss the humanitarian needs for civilians, not just during the conflict, but after the conflict has ended as well.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. They start by discussing the situation in Gaza, with Jamie asking what is needed to help resolve the crisis there. The conversation touches on international and humanitarian law and the importance of upholding those principles. Jamie asks Grandi if he's worried about humanitarians losing their relevance as more crises and conflicts appear around the world. The two talk about migration and refugees and what improvements can be made on those issues. Fillipo also brings up COP 28, which is currently underway, and the Global Refugee Forum which takes place December 13th to 15th.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Charles Petrie, a former UN assistant secretary general with more than three decades of experience in conflict and post-conflict settings. Charles' book, The Triumph of Evil - The Rwanda Genocide and the Search for Justice, is based on his personal eye-witness accounts while working for the UN in the country during the genocide. It's available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. They discuss the situation in Gaza, and the failure of international and humanitarian law. After that, the conversation focuses on Myanmar. Charles worked in the nation for the UN and continues to cover the humanitarian crisis there. He describes the situation on the ground, with the economy struggling and a lack of leadership. Jamie asks Charles about the Rohingya refugees, a crisis which they both agree does not have an easy solution. Charles says one of his biggest disappointments about the situation in Myanmar is the lack of global concern. He argues for more awareness of the situation which would put pressure on international organizations, such as the UN, to do more to address the crisis.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Ross Mountain, a senior United Nations official who was a former emergency relief coordinator and a humanitarian coordinator in the Middle East. They discuss the difficult situation in Gaza, with humanitarians working to get life saving services to people in the area. Jamie and Ross also talk about the criticism directed towards the UN, including backlash from Israeli officials following a speech from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Ross emphasizes the need for humanitarian and international law to be maintained, and he says the failure to upload these rules is leading to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Jamie and Ross get into other topics as well, including Ukraine and Sudan.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Reena Ghelani, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator. She has over two decades of experience in the humanitarian sector, spanning across Africa and the Middle East. Jamie asks Reena about the work being done to combat global hunger. Reena explains the main causes for food insecurity, with conflict and climate disasters being two of the primary reasons. She argues that there needs to be better collaboration between corporations, governments, and humanitarian organizations to make meaningful inroads on feeding the hungry. Jamie brings up the budget shortfall at the World Food Programme, and he asks Reena how the UN and other groups can step up. She also addresses the UN goal to end hunger by 2030 and lays out what the progress is there.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive at ODI. The organization has their own podcast, Think Change, which discusses global issues fortnightly with leading experts. Sara is the Chair of the UN Secretary-General's Seventh Advisory Group of the UN Peacebuilding Fund and a member of UNFPA's ICPD25 High-Level Commission. She also serves on the High-Level Group on Humanitarian Resilience and Investing and the Digital Currency Governance Consortium Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Jamie and Sara discuss the work ODI is currently involved in, and she gives her perspective on crises happening around the globe. She explains that there are people losing faith in humanitarian systems, and she highlights Niger and Sudan as areas where political and humanitarian leaders have struggled. Jamie and Sara talk about reforms needed in humanitarian systems. They also discuss neutrality, with Sara calling neutrality a fallacy, arguing local aid groups do not operate from a stance of pure neutrality.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration in the UN. They discuss a wide variety of topics related to migration. Jamie asks her about the impact the invasion of Ukraine is having as people are pushed into different parts of Europe. There is a conversation about political difficulties, as countries change policies to restrict or even ban migrants. Ugochi details working with governments to try and establish safe and orderly migration. They also talk about how rhetoric in the media can negatively influence the perception people have of migrants coming into their countries.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Hannah Rae Armstrong, a writer and policy advisor with over a decade of field based experience in North Africa and the Sahel. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Le Monde. Jamie and Hannah spoke in late August about the coup in Niger and its impact on the region. Hannah does a great job of explaining the different parties involved in the coup, and she details what makes this coup different from other ones in west Africa. She's critical of the role France has played, saying they've made the situation worse with their rhetoric. There's also a discussion about the impact new sanctions will have on people in Niger, a country which the United Nations Human Index Development ranks as one of the poorest in the world. Finally, Hannah gives her perspective on what could come next in Niger with tension high in the region.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health. She's also had an extensive career in crisis management, which includes time at the United Nations and as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Jamie and Jemilah discussed crises in southeast Asia and the responses to those crises. He asked her about the situation in Myanmar, and she gave her opinion on the ASEAN response to that humanitarian crisis. Jemilah provided her perspective on the non-interference framework of ASEAN which has been criticized by some. Other topics of conversation include China's influence and relationship with ASEAN, and the impact climate change is having in that part of the world. She was critical of the global response to climate challenges and emphasized that more needs to be done there.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with David Beasley. He served as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme from 2017 until April 2023, and he's had a long career in U.S. politics which includes over a decade in Congress. David was the head of the WFP when it won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. The conversation focuses on the growing challenges in getting food to hungry people around the world. David explains that conflicts are the biggest obstacle to ending hunger by 2030, a goal set by the United Nations. Jamie and David discuss the war in Ukraine and the impact it's having on food, with grain and fertilizer supply and delivery restricted. David says the suspension of the Black Sea grain deal will have catastrophic effects on the poor and hungry. Finally, David lays out what he would like to see governments and large corporations do to aid in stopping world hunger.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Afghan journalist Zahra Joya, who was named one of Time's Women of the Year in 2022. She created Rukhshana Media in November 2020, the publication covers women's issues in Afghanistan including reproductive health, sexual violence, and gender discrimination. Jamie speaks with her about the humanitarian crisis in the nation as the Taliban places restrictions on what women can do. Zahra describes a difficult situation, with hunger and high levels of poverty. She explains how the situation is especially challenging for women who were breadwinners in their families. They are struggling to bring home income with restrictions on women's ability to get jobs or even leave the home without a male escort. Jamie also asks Zahra about the obstacles with humanitarian assistance as the Taliban has banned Afghan women aid workers. Zahra says there are certain issues better suited for a woman aid worker than a man, especially when it comes to healthcare.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Arjun Jain, UN Principle Coordinator for the Rohingya Refugee Response, about conditions in Cox's Bazar. The location is the site of the largest refugee camp in the world with more than 1 million Rohingya refugees. Arjun provides an overview of the situation. He gives honest answers about what's gone right in the aid response and what needs to be better. Jamie asks Arjun about funding, and Arjun says it's been a challenge getting the dollars to provide comprehensive support for the refugees. He explains that some services have already been cut back due to a lack of funding. Arjun also talks about the future for these refugees. He raises concerns for children, some of whom have spent their entire lives in the camps.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Louise Aubin, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Niger. She gives an outlook on the humanitarian crisis in the country. Aubin tells Jamie that violence and displacement are two of the main challenges, with those displaced heavily reliant on assistance. She says education is a top priority, and she discusses working with the government to build out resources for citizens. Jamie asks Aubin about the prospects going forward and what is needed to improve the aid response. The crisis in Niger is complex, and Aubin provides a good overview of the situation.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Alex de Waal. He is the Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and a research professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is, most recently, co-author of “Sudan's Unfinished Democracy: The promise and betrayal of a people's revolution” (Hurst 2022). Jamie asks him about the conflict in Sudan. Alex describes how the two sides grew into this conflict, and he explains how there's been a failure of diplomacy. He emphasizes how the window to calm the violence is closing quickly. Jamie asks Alex what the potential outcomes are, and her gives honest answers on a difficult situation.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Gabriella Waaijman, Global Humanitarian Director of Save the Children. They discuss a variety of topics on the humanitarian sector, including how aid work has evolved over the last several decades. Gabriella explains that while there have been improvements, there is a lack of input from local organizations. She talks about how Save the Children is partnering with local groups to help them have a say in how donor dollars are distributed. Jamie asks Gabriella about staying neutral as humanitarians which has been tested with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They also discuss the trade offs they are forced to make as humanitarians when states put pressure or even kick out aid workers for speaking out.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Ulrika Richardson, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti. They discuss the complex and difficult situation in the country. The United Nations has reported an increase in violence, with more than 600 people killed in and around the capital, Port-Au-Prince, in April. Ulrika explains what's prompting the violence and the discussions happening to try and bring stability to the nation. She also talks with Jamie about the challenges in getting resources to people. Gangs have blocked off access to various areas, and it's forced aid workers to use airdrops and barges to get basic necessities to those who need it. Jamie asks Ulrika about fundraising for the expensive aid response, and she lays out a framework for improving the situation going forward.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with journalist and policy analyst David Rieff, author of the seminal 2003 book A Bed For The Night. That book, and those that followed, prompted the humanitarian sector to reflect on their work and how it could be improved. Jamie speaks with David about his analysis of the humanitarian space and how it has evolved. They also discuss the United Nations, its strengths and its shortcomings. David is currently writing a book about the role of memory in the Russo-Ukrainian War, a continuation from his book In Praise of Forgetting: Historical Memory and its Ironies. He tells Jamie about that work and gives his thoughts on Russia's war against Ukraine.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Adam Abdelmoula, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia. Adam gives an overview of the crisis in the country, with climate shocks and conflict creating a difficult environment. There are millions of people, including children, who are in desperate need of life saving assistance. After several years of poor rainy seasons, food insecurity is high. Famine is a very real risk. Adam speaks about trying to get support from donors with other crises taking attention away from Somalia. He also discusses working with officials at the national and local levels to provide aid.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Jeremy Konyndyk, President of Refugees International. They go over a variety of issues in the humanitarian space. Jeremy discusses major changes he would like to see in the system, arguing local groups need a bigger seat at the table with how donor dollars are used. Jamie and Jeremy talk about current crises, including Ukraine and Yemen, and how crises today are lasting longer than crises several decades ago. Jeremy explains why humanitarians have to navigate politics, saying aid workers receive blame for political mistakes made by states. Also, Jeremy lays out his goals for Refugees International which include giving a voice to those who are being neglected.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Suzanna Tkalec, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo since July 2021. She discusses the current crisis in the eastern provinces and the challenges humanitarians face in the region. Suzanna gives an overview of the different armed groups battling in the area, including M23, and efforts to bring much needed security and stability. Jamie asks her about the difficulty in getting financial support from donors with crises in the other parts of the world competing for donor dollars. Suzanna explains that aid workers are trying to assist people displaced from the violence and struggling with extreme poverty. It's an honest conversation about a grueling, long running crisis.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with members of Palestinian human rights organizations on issues in the region. Tensions are high between Palestians and Israelis with a noted uptick in violence in the West Bank since the start of the year. The escalation in violence in the West Bank coincides with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returning to power with an ultra right wing coalition. There are fears that the violence will increase around Ramadan and Passover. In Jamie's conversations with these human rights groups, they discuss the physical and mental toll all of this is having on people. They talk about the lack of basic needs, like electricity and access to adequate shelter. Members of these groups also explain the economic struggles, with unemployment high, especially with younger people.The guests include Dr. Ayed Yaghi of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Hamdi Shaqoura from the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Milena Ansari from Addameer, Ubai Al-Aboudi from the Bisan Center for Research and Development, and Wesam Ahmad from Al-Haq.

Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Hugo Slim, Senior Research Fellow at the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice, Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, on a wide range of topics. They discuss crises in Haiti, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and the challenges in providing assistance to those countries. Hugo talks about how humanitarian aid has grown over the last several decades, describing the positives and negatives which have come from that growth. Jamie asks Hugo about the difficulty in speaking out as a humanitarian worker, when it could mean losing access to populations in need of help. Finally, the pair consider the ramifications climate change will have and how that will impact the humanitarian sector in the future.

Host Jamie McGoldrick talks with Julien Harneis, Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, about efforts to provide aid to a country dealing with climate disasters and skyrocketing prices. Floods in the nation have devastated and uprooted millions of people. The value of Pakistan's currency has fallen dramatically. Citizens are paying more for basic goods, with the cost of petrol and diesel continuing to increase. Julien outlines the crisis and explains what is being done to provide shelter and health care to citizens. He also details the challenging efforts to secure funding from donors.

Host Jamie McGoldrick talks with Denise Brown, UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, about efforts to provide aid with war in the country. Denise speaks candidly about the crisis and what humanitarian aid workers are experiencing as they respond in the region. She outlines challenges aid workers face in getting access to certain areas and talks about dealing with criticism and misinformation on social media.