Podcast · News

The New Humanitarian

by The New Humanitarian · English · News

The New Humanitarian brings you an inside look at the conflicts and natural disasters that leave millions of people in need each year, and the policies and people who respond to them. Join TNH's journalists in the aid policy hub of Geneva and in global hotspots to unpack the stories that are disrupt

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 46 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 46 min

What Palestinians want for Gaza's future | Rethinking Humanitarianism

Three years into Israel's genocide in Gaza, the US-led Board of Peace is already trying to determine the strip's future reconstruction plans. But what about the more than two million Palestinians who call the Gaza Strip home? And the many more Palestinians living in the West Bank or exiled in the diaspora? Our editor Eric Reidy sets the scene for what's been happening since last year's so-called ceasefire, and then we hear a collage of Palestinian voices. They discuss the reconstruction conversations happening without them, what they want for the future of Gaza, and what the humanitarian…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

2 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
What we've learned about how change happens | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The humanitarian system isn't short on identity crises, soul-searching, and reform promises. So why does a system so good at diagnosing its problems struggle to change? This final episode of Rethinking Humanitarianism and Start Network's collaborative series examines the financial and political roadblocks preventing change, why diversifying who humanitarians feel accountable to could lead to progress, the reality that change is already happening in myriad ways outside the sector's reform attempts, and what humanitarians might learn from activist movements. Guests Kia Howson, researcher at…
17 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Should humanitarianism return to its activist roots? | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Can embracing activism inspire public support for aid, and rejuvenate humanitarianism itself? Today's guests explain why – and how – humanitarians should go from advocacy to activism. Chloé Fiona Ludden resigned from a United Nations job and joined activists aboard The Handala, one of the dozens of vessels that tried to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip. "When we think about activism, it's usually something that is depicted at the fringes, when for me, the flotilla is… actually enacting international humanitarian law," she says. Ludden and research fellow Philip Proudfoot join hosts…
10 Sep 2026 · 39 min
Will aid-for-hire become the new normal? | Rethinking Humanitarianism
In the previous episode, Fogbow CEO Brook Jerue questioned why the aid sector was so "infatuated" and critical of his company – a small private American firm delivering aid in high‑conflict contexts like South Sudan and Gaza. In this follow‑up discussion, Beatrice Lindstrom – co‑author of a recent policy brief on the rise of privatised, militarised, and politicised aid actors – puts Fogbow in the larger context of these emerging actors, and examines why their growing "subsumption" of humanitarian roles is worth paying attention to. Guests Beatrice Lindstrom, senior clinical instructor at…
8 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
The rise of privatised aid: A conversation with Fogbow | Rethinking Humanitarianism
When private companies employ former military personnel and work with controversial political actors in the name of humanitarian aid, should they still follow humanitarian principles? And who holds them accountable? This episode tackles the rise of privatised, militarised, and politicised players in the humanitarian landscape. Guests Brook Jerue, CEO of Fogbow Key moments [06:31] – What makes Fogbow different from traditional humanitarian actors? [15:09] – The Gaza maritime corridor and US backing. [18:47] – "I don't think you can operate in a vacuum without political or economic pressure on…
27 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
Grassroots aid is here to disturb the system | Rethinking Humanitarianism
For Fanta Toure, community-led crisis response efforts like mutual aid are not an emergent movement as some in the international aid system see it, but rather a return "to the way things are supposed to be". Toure, along with Hajooj Kuka of Sudan's emergency response rooms (ERRs) and Bashair Ahmed of Shabaka, joined co-host Christina Bennett to discuss the diversity of grassroots aid efforts, and to challenge the formal humanitarian system to adopt a more humble and supportive position towards locally-led action "What the system can do is to move from leading by default to actually…
20 Aug 2026 · 48 min
Somalia's plan to break free from aid dependence | Rethinking Humanitarianism
For Abdihakim Ainte, a senior Somali government official, the international humanitarian system's sudden contraction has been both a "cataclysmic" shock – with devastating immediate consequences – and a reckoning that could ultimately accelerate Somalia's path towards greater self-reliance. Last week's episode explored how shifting power, money, and politics in traditional donor countries is reshaping the humanitarian landscape from the top down. In this follow-up episode, Ainte shares his perspective from the point of view of a country that traditionally receives aid. Guest Abdihakim Ainte,…
13 Aug 2026 · 49 min
Will big donors "smell the coffee" or get left behind? | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Less than a year ago, Colum Wilson left his position at the helm of the humanitarian department in one of the world's largest donor governments. After more than two decades with the UK government, Wilson concludes that "the world's become a colder and crueller place where realpolitik tends to trump humanitarianism". In this second collaborative episode between Rethinking Humanitarianism and Start Network, Wilson joins hosts Tammam Aloudat and Christina Bennett to unpack how humanitarianism is being reshaped from the top down. They discuss the rise of populism and transactional humanitarian…
E1 · 6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Error and trial: What really makes the humanitarian system change? | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Humanitarianism evolves, whether the system is ready or not. This six-episode series explores how. Ben Ramalingam has spent 20 years thinking and writing about the complexity of the humanitarian system and what makes it shift. His conclusion? It changes the wrong way around. "We've tended to evolve not through trial and error, but through error and trial. So we respond to what goes wrong, we absorb the shock through processes which are often very painful, and then we return to something that's not too far removed from what we had before." In this first collaborative episode between…
7 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Lessons on media ethics from the Middle East | Decolonise How?
What are we getting right, what are we getting wrong, and how could we do better? A recent live webinar hosted by Patrick Gathara, with historian Assal Rad and media critic Sana Saeed, digs into the framing of the genocide and wars in the Middle East with the goal of drawing lessons that could be applicable to a wide range of crises. Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
23 Jun 2026 · 39 min
How to change reporting | Decolonise How?
We've diagnosed the problem. What comes next? On the podcast: what it takes to change how crises are spoken about in newsrooms and aid organisations. Researcher Jess Crombie and journalist Chika Oduah encourage "uncomfortable conversations" to confront colonial legacies. "Really, what we're talking about is about acknowledging power and making efforts to undermine existing power structures," Crombie says. Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
19 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Event | Who owns the narrative?
Across newsrooms, stages, screens, and funding tables, there's a growing movement to reshape how migration and displacement are understood. So what does it look like when the people at the heart of these crises tell their own stories, and could it influence the systems that shape their lives? The New Humanitarian hosted a night of film and conversation with journalists, artists, and cultural funders to explore these very questions. This event was moderated by Eric Reidy, Migration and Special Coverage Editor at The New Humanitarian, and featured: Bridgit Antoinette Evans | Artist, culture…
9 Jun 2026 · 44 min
Crisis comms: donations vs. dignity | Decolonise How?
NGO ads don't have to be a balance between dignity and donations. A look at the ethics and power dynamics of crisis communications, and how humanitarian agencies can do better for the communities they serve, with Levis Nderitu, a Kenyan DEI specialist, and Marie-Rose Romain Murphy, a Haitian-American community development expert. "At the core of your communication should be people, should be dignity, should be: how would I want to be portrayed myself?" Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
4 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 40 min
Event | Humanitarianism in the West Bank
Humanitarianism in the West Bank: Structures, Power, and the Limits of Aid ___ What does it mean to "do no harm" in a context where aid can both alleviate suffering and entrench the very systems that produce it? In this critical conversation on the state of humanitarianism in the West Bank today, we examine what it means for humanitarian actors to operate within a broader landscape of occupation, violence, and structural injustice. This event was moderated by Layth Hanbali , Researcher at Institute for Palestine Studies and PhD candidate, who was joined by: Tammam Aloudat | CEO, The New…
26 May 2026 · 39 min
Decolonising the newsroom | Decolonise How?
The first African to lead the BBC's African service, Joseph Warungu, and The New Humanitarian's Head of Editorial, Andrew Gully, have over half a century's worth of experience working in and leading newsrooms. Why do both use the word "battle" to describe their efforts to produce decolonised journalism with local perspectives? Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
S5 · 21 May 2026 · 49 min
Diaspora aid: the lifeline we don't talk about enough | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Every year, people in the diaspora send hundreds of billions of dollars home. It is one of the single most important streams of assistance, far outweighing all official foreign aid. So why does it get less attention when it outpaces aid flows? And can it – or should it – better complement international humanitarian response? Host Tammam Aloudat discusses the wide-reaching role of diaspora aid in Gaza, South Sudan, and beyond, its strengths and potential in crisis response, and its limitations. Guests: Hala Sabbah, co-founder of The Sameer Project Daniel Mayang Mayen, researcher at the Sudd…
12 May 2026 · 39 min
Who gets to tell the story? | Decolonise How?
Does it really matter whether a journalist is a local or a foreigner? The distinction between "local" or "international" journalists raises questions about trust, credibility, and control in global news. In this episode of Decolonise How? Patrick Gathara sits down with The New Humanitarian's Ali Latifi and Ahmer Khan to discuss power dynamics in crisis reporting, and why it matters. Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
7 May 2026 · 28 min
What it means for humanitarians to be political | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Saving lives is a choice, and that makes it hard for humanitarianism to be completely apolitical despite long-running debates about neutrality and impartiality. But what does being political look like? On this episode: Flotillas and White Helmets, the difference between speaking out as individual humanitarian actors or as a unified collective, moving beyond simply being in "solidarity with communities", and finding a diversity of voices to build a future version of humanitarianism. Guests: Shatha Elnakib , faculty and deputy director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins…
28 Apr 2026 · 38 min
Ethical principles vs institutional realities | Decolonise How?
In the latest Decolonise How? podcast, we ask whether ethical journalism is possible when individual ideals collide with institutional realities. "In school, we are taught: Don't be too close to the story, because then how do you maintain objectivity?" says Kenyan journalist Njoki Chege. "But on the ground, things are very different." Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
S5 · 16 Apr 2026 · 22 min
Surviving war while delivering aid | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Like many local aid workers living through war, Hind Obeid is surviving a crisis while responding to it. Obeid works for an NGO that supports refugees in Lebanon, but since 2024 Israeli attacks have forced her to fulfill her obligations while experiencing multiple displacements, the fear of airstrikes, and the constant sound of drones. Obeid, who wrote about her experiences for The New Humanitarian , joins the podcast to reflect on the mental anguish of delivering aid under Israeli bombardment, how the humanitarian system can better support local staff, and why showing up in a crisis feels…
14 Apr 2026 · 40 min
Should there be foreign correspondents? | Decolonise How?
In this episode of Decolonise How? , host Patrick Gathara sits down with journalist Jane Ferguson to debate what role foreign correspondents should have in telling stories from crises, and why she now describes herself as a "recovering war reporter". "I had grown up with this sense of what a foreign correspondent was… but what I learned early on was that my impression was very self-absorbed," Ferguson says. Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
2 Apr 2026 · 46 min
An exit talk with UNRWA's Philippe Lazzarini | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Philippe Lazzarini has ended his term as head of UNRWA, the UN agency that provides essential services to Palestinians. In an exit interview, Lazzarini describes "the most brutal experience" of his career, his anger when atrocities are met with silence, and the "slippery slope" waiting for humanitarians in Gaza. Guest: Philippe Lazzarini, departing commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.
31 Mar 2026 · 37 min
What is humanitarian journalism? | Decolonise How?
There's more than one way to cover crises, says Professor Martin Scott. In the second episode of Decolonise How? , host Patrick Gathara sits down with Scott, who studies media and global development, to discuss the ethics, practice, and impact of media coverage of crises. Scott popularised the term "humanitarian journalism". He explains what makes it different from mainstream journalism, and why the labels matter. Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises.
17 Mar 2026 · 41 min
Who owns the story? | Decolonise How?
"The first place that people are dehumanised is in stories." - Sophie Otiende The way we tell stories about humanitarian crises can distort the realities of the people living through them. From news coverage and research to aid donation appeals, there is a tendency to simplify, decontextualise, and even dehumanise – to portray locals as suffering and helpless, and the outsiders riding to their rescue as heroic and selfless. In Decolonise How? host Patrick Gathara brings together journalists, humanitarians, researchers, and affected communities, to understand why this happens, and how to…
12 Mar 2026 · 29 min
Tragedy? When humanitarian language becomes oppressive | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Is it problematic to call human suffering a "tragedy"? Even well-intentioned humanitarian language can harm, says Heidi Mogstad, senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway. She argues that the language humanitarians use can perpetuate systems of violence that cause crises. In this episode, Mogstad gives examples of counter-productive language, and discusses ways to improve. Guests: Heidi Mogstad, senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway. Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag…
10 Mar 2026 · 2 min
Introducing a new podcast on crisis storytelling | Decolonise How?
Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises. Join host Patrick Gathara as he gathers journalists, humanitarians, researchers, and affected communities into the same conversation. They debate the crisis in crisis reporting – and talk about how things could be done differently.
26 Feb 2026 · 46 min
The aid sector's techno-colonialism problem | Rethinking Humanitarianism
AI and new tech in crises: When is technology a force for good, and when are we piling on the problems in humanitarian response? In this episode, experts unpack why technology is never neutral, the fallback on "techno-utopian" solutions, and the risk of "techno-colonialism" and why it matters. Guests: Mirca Madianou, professor in the School of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, and author of "Technocolonialism: When Technology for Good is Harmful". Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public…
12 Feb 2026 · 52 min
Burnout in the aid sector and how to respond | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Humanitarians have a "burnout culture", experts say. They work long hours in difficult environments. They're trying to help people in the worst moments of their lives. In the middle of today's funding crisis, they're also deciding who gets aid and who does not. In this episode, humanitarians and experts in mental health or wellbeing talk about what's driving high rates of burnout, how people can identify it and take action, and what organisations must do better to help their staff. Guests: Javid Abdelmoneim , international president of Médecins Sans Frontières Nancy Nyambura , regional staff…
12 Jan 2026 · 49 min
What's happening in Iran? The wider context | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Protests have spread across Iran, and the fallout is rapidly evolving. In this episode, Hamid Dabashi, Iranian-American author and professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University, explains the wider historic context and evolution of these protests. He helps host Tammam Aloudat think through the nuance of opposing an abusive government while also rejecting imperialism – whether that be in Venezuela, Iran, or the al-Assad regime in Syria. And Dabashi discusses what humanitarians might pay attention to as events unfold. Guests: Hamid Dabashi , Iranian-American…
8 Jan 2026 · 56 min
What we've learned so far: Key takeaways for 2026 | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The crisis of illiberalism. The global gender backlash. Aid blind spots. Gaza and the failure of international law. Our guests have taken on difficult topics, but they've also come up with ideas on how to move forward. In this episode: Key takeaways to navigate today's challenges, and the issues driving conversations in 2026. Guests: Anjali Dayal , assistant professor of international politics at Fordham University Saskia Brechenmacher, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program Sana Bég , executive director, Doctors Without…

About The New Humanitarian

The New Humanitarian is a English news podcast from The New Humanitarian. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The New Humanitarian
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 46 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1420089508

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English news

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.