What we’ve learned so far: Key takeaways for 2026 | Rethinking Humanitarianism
Release Date: 01/08/2026
Surviving war while delivering aid | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
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 , 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 like...
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Should there be foreign correspondents? | Decolonise How?
The New Humanitarian
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.
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An exit talk with UNRWA’s Philippe Lazzarini | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
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 or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.
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What is humanitarian journalism? | Decolonise How?
The New Humanitarian
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.
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Who owns the story? | Decolonise How?
The New Humanitarian
“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...
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Tragedy? When humanitarian language becomes oppressive | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
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 podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or post...
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Introducing a new podcast on crisis storytelling | Decolonise How?
The New Humanitarian
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.
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The aid sector’s techno-colonialism problem | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
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...
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Burnout in the aid sector and how to respond | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
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...
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Don't forget about the Rohingya | Rethinking Humanitarianism
The New Humanitarian
Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya community are waiting for justice. A landmark genocide case at the International Court of Justice is a major step. In this episode, Noor Azizah, a survivor who heads a Rohingya civil society group, tells her family’s story of being driven from their homeland. She explains why today’s Rohingya trial paved the way for other atrocity crime cases, and discusses humanitarians’ complex role delivering aid in Myanmar. Guests: Noor Azizah, co-executive director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network Got a...
info_outlineThe 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 Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada
Hourie Tafech, director for refugee leadership and partnerships at Refugees International
Tammam Aloudat, CEO of The New Humanitarian
Levi Sharpe, Rethinking Humanitarianism producer
Got a question or feedback? Email podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.