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.

A regional leader in the fight against food insecurity in Africa, Mahabub Maalim knows first-hand the impact that hunger has on people and communities. Growing up in eastern Kenya, he’s seen how cycles of drought, crop loss and hunger have become more frequent and more severe. He’s dedicated his life to helping communities develop local solutions and he now he serves as special advisor to IFRC’s response to the current hunger crisis in Africa (now impacting 23 countries).

Jagan Chapagain was 14 years old when he joined the Nepal Red Cross as a volunteer. Now as Secretary General of the IFRC, he leads the world’s largest humanitarian volunteer network. In this debut episode, Chapagain talks about today's greatest humanitarian challenges and opportunities. He explains why humanitarians need to change the way they think and talk about the critical work of helping others through crisis. He also shares what inspired his own personal humanitarian journey.  

Through all the great events of our times — from storms to earthquakes to conflict — the people of the Red Cross Red Crescent are there. Their emblems and Red Vests are symbols that help has arrived. Welcome to Season 4 of People in the Red Vest, a podcast brought to you by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). We invite you to join us every two weeks for thought-provoking conversations and inspiring stories of hope, resilience and humanity.