Advertise on podcast: 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 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 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 [email protected]. 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.