Red Vest

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. 

In this episode: breaking the mold on the way humanitarian organizations finance recovery and rebuilding after crisis. We talk with Nena Stoiljkovic, IFRC’s Undersecretary General for Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization about new, innovative finance tools to help people and communities get back on their feet quickly after crisis. 

Nataliia Korniienko knows firsthand the psychological and emotional stresses of conflict, migration and living as a refugee. In 2022, she was a mental health and psychosocial field officer for the ICRC when conflict finally forced her and her daughter to leave for Poland. Now her experience as a psychologist, former Ukrainian Red Cross technical adviser and refugee is helping her provide services to other Ukrainian refugees throughout Europe as a mental health and psychsocial specialist for the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

In this episode, we explore the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan with Homa Nader, Manager of Strategic Engagement and Partnership in the IFRC country office in Kabul. Four years of drought, economic sanctions and the legacy of conflict are just a few factors that have left some 34 million Afghans facing extreme hardship. We spoke with Homa about the daily challenges for average Afghans, the particularly difficulties for women, and about the inspiring work of Red Crescent volunteers in helping people cope.