Humanitarian Fault Lines

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.