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 communi...

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. Jam...

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...

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 Uphea...

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...

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 o...

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Peter Salisbury. He’s an Adjunct 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...

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....

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. J...

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 t...

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 ho...

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 o...

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 whil...

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...

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...

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 beli...

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 discusse...

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. Phili...

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...

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...

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...

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 Visio...

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 organizatio...

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 de...