Torbjørn ‘Thor’ C. Pedersen not only travelled to every country in the world without flying. He also visited nearly every National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society in the world and wrote stories for his travel blog about their response to a staggering variety of humanitarian challenges. “My motivation to continue and not give up came from different sources at different times,” he told us. “Sometimes it would be seeing [Red Cross and Red Cresent] volunteers, and how much effort they would put into solving various situations around the world. And knowing that they were doing it without taking payment for it, because they believed in a cause, was incredibly inspiring.”  [Part 2 of a two-part interview; see Episode 6, part 1 of Season 2 to hear the first part of this interview]. 

Part 1 of our interview with Torbjørn ‘Thor’ C. Pedersen, the first person to visit every country in the world without ever taking an airplane. But that’s not his only distinction. He also visited nearly every National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society in the world and wrote stories for his travel blog about their response to a staggering variety of humanitarian challenges. His key takeaway: despite some very real dangers he faced along the way —and the headlines we all read every day — the vast majority of humans on earth are good, kind and welcoming people who will go out of their way to help a stranger. And he wants the world to know it. [Part 1 of a two-part episode]. 

As the first female president of the Turkish Red Crescent, Dr. Fatma Meriç Yilmaz talks about her National Society’s role in supporting one of the world’s largest refugee populations and in running the world’s most ambitious humanitarian cash assistance programmes. She also discusses the continuing impacts from the earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria in Feb 2023. As a champion of women in humanitarian leadership in Türkiye and globally, she talks about the significant gains made in recent years and what still needs to be done to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. 

Ani Gevorgyan’s life as a humanitarian began when she was 14 years old and she signed up to bring joy, art and activity into the lives of refugee children. Two years later, the young volunteer for the Armenian Red Cross was organizing “eco-runs” in which people combined physical activity with environmental clean ups. Now, as an IFRC Climate Champion, she spreads the word about climate action at high level summits like COP-28, where she says local communities and youth need to be driving the agenda. 

Special International Women's Day episode: Kate Forbes, the newly elected president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies joins the organization’s Secretary General Jagan Chapagain in a wide-ranging conversation about the critical importance of gender equity in humanitarian action. They look at how far the humanitarian sector has come and what needs to be done now to close the gaps that still exist.

IFRC’s regional director for Europe talks about the conflict that has impacted not just the European continent, but the entire world. Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen explains how the principle of neutrality — along with an inspiring level of humanitarian solidarity — has helped the IFRC assist some 18 million people impacted by the crisis. Mental health services are now at the forefront of our response throughout the region, which also faces many other humanitarian challenges, from climate change to migration.

Inspired by her mother’s work helping migrant farm workers in the southwestern United States, Kate Forbes grew up understanding how hard people struggle for a better life. Starting as a Red Cross volunteer at her local branch, she now leads the world’s largest network of local humanitarian organizations. As newly elected president of the IFRC, Forbes talks about extraordinary volunteers she’s met around the world who’ve risked everything to help others, and she explains her approach to today’s most complex humanitarian crises, from climate change to migration.  

In this episode, Alexander Matheou challenges a common humanitarian narrative about the Asia Pacific region being “disaster prone.” Yes, it is particularly vulnerable to climate-related events — and it has more than its share of volcanos and earthquakes — but it’s also leading the way in life-saving prevention, preparedness and humanitarian innovation. As IFRC’s regional director for the Asia Pacific region, Matheou talks about the opportunities and leadership this vast, dynamic and diverse region offers the humanitarian world.  

Xavier Castellanos was 13 years old when he joined a Red Cross club at his high school in Ecuador. But it wasn’t until he experienced a serious motorcycle accident that his life took a serious turn toward a career helping others. The teenage Castellanos almost died in the crash, in part because no one nearby knew how to help. So he rejoined the Red Cross, retook first-aid training and his lifelong humanitarian journey began. Now he works as Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Operations Coordination for the IFRC, the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian organization.

Hossam Elsharkawi was three years old when the Red Cross brought him to safety following the outbreak of an armed conflict. It’s no wonder his life path led him to a career helping others. He earned a doctorate degree in public health and has spent his career working to care for others in dire and often dangerous situations around the world. Now Regional Director for the IFRC in the Middle East and North Africa, he talks about the challenges now facing the region and what gives him hope despite the daunting realities. Disclaimer: This podcast was recorded on October 31., 2023. Please see IFRC's public online platforms for updates and statements on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East and North Africa.