Awake At Night
Awake At Night is a podcast that explores the experiences of United Nations workers operating in some of the most dangerous and complex environments around the world. Host Melissa Fleming interviews UN humanitarians, human rights advocates, prosecutors, development experts, climate leaders, and peacekeepers, uncovering their personal stories and the challenges they face. The podcast provides insight into how these individuals help others and cope with the suffering and atrocities they witness.
Episodes
Overcoming trauma in the service of peace, with Elpida Rouka - Senior political affairs officer, Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria
Elpida Rouka's first name means hope in Greek, a feeling that can sometimes be elusive when serving in the most troubled places on earth. Currently a senior political affairs officer in Geneva, she is a survivor of the 2003 Baghdad Canal Hotel bombing, the deadliest attack in UN history. "First you feel the shake, and the light, and then the blast, the sound comes. I blacked out between exiting th
Lighting Libya's long path to peace, with Hanna Tetteh - Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and UNSMIL Head
Former Ghanian Foreign Minister Hanna Tetteh knows first hand the responsibility that comes from being an elected politician. Now head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, she draws on that experience as she works to get the nation onto a peaceful and democratic footing. "I have to be optimistic. Otherwise I'll stop. And I think that when you're doing this kind of job, you have to keep
The force of good is much stronger than the force of evil, with Kelly Clements - UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner
From Bangladesh to Kosovo, Syria to Sudan, Kelly Clements has spent more than 30 years helping to save lives during some of the biggest refugee and humanitarian crises in recent times. Now the outgoing Deputy High Commissioner at the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, she's making an impassioned case for a more humane world. "How can we convince those that continue to wage wars that continue to treat peo
Why peace begins with people, not power, with Bintou Keita - Former UN Secretary-General's Special Representative DRC
Bintou Keita knows instinctively that some moments call for a more human response than words alone can offer. Once, at a ceremony to mark the end of the devastating Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, she found herself hesitating to deliver her pre-prepared statement to a grief-stricken crowd. "I have my statement, but I can't deliver [it] because there's something else I have to do before. And in th
Youth, power and possibility, with Felipe Paullier - UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs
A medical doctor by training, Dr. Felipe Paullier is a passionate advocate for young people. Two years ago, aged just 32, his life took a new turn when he became the first-ever Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, the youngest senior appointment in the history of the United Nations. "Leaving young people at the sidelines of how we find solutions is not the way. It's really bringing them
How to lead forces for peace, with Cheryl Pearce - The UN's Acting Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations
After enlisting at 18, Cheryl Pearce battled rigid gender barriers to rise through the military ranks. Now the UN's Acting Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, the Australian-born Lieutenant General is the highest ranking woman in uniform within the United Nations. "Peace for me, is seeing communities having food security, having water security, education, knowing, you know, as a mum mys
Fighting hunger in a world of plenty, with Jean-Martin Bauer - Director, Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, World Food Programme (WFP)
Jean-Martin Bauer was just a teenager when a visit to his uncle's Haitian rice farm planted the seed of his life-long passion for food security. Now Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis at the World Food Programme (WFP) he works to feed hungry people worldwide. "Even now, even during these dark times … there are opportunities to sow seeds for a better future." The world faces a globa
Serving the UN is the honor of a lifetime, with Annalena Baerbock, President UN General Assembly 80th Session
Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is a new face at the United Nations. Sworn in as President of the General Assembly in September, she brings experience and energy at a time of challenges and new beginnings – including the selection of the next Secretary-General. "We need this place where countries, big and small, rich and poor, are coming together and have an equal say and an equa
A lifetime championing refugees, with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Filippo Grandi has devoted more than three decades to easing the suffering of refugees: "My pride after all these years is that the center of this effort of my lifetime has been on people, and especially on the people that suffer most in the world, including refugees." Now, shortly before his term comes to an end, and as more than 117 million people worldwide remain forcibly displaced, the lon
A trapeze without a net: the life of the UN Spokesperson, with Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization's work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain. "There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization li
Ukraine: 'Heaven and Hell', with Matthias Schmale - UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine
A life-long humanitarian, Matthias Schmale has borne witness to a number of seismic moments in world history. Currently United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, he is overseeing efforts to help Ukrainians prepare for a fourth winter at war. "The longer this lasts, the more the resilience will go down, the more the psychological damage will take hold [...] There are nights w
On life's journey, make each step count, with Amina J. Mohammed - UN Deputy Secretary-General
How does one out of five sisters from rural Nigeria grow up to be UN Deputy Secretary-General? Blessed with tenacity, determination and grit, Amina Mohammed has always been driven to improve the lives of her fellow human beings and our planet. Rising to the top of the United Nations, her vision has helped shape the world's blueprint for a brighter future. "One step at a time, this whole life is ab
A ray of hope for cancer patients, with Dr. May Abdel-Wahab - Director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Whenever a new cancer patient entered her office in the U.S., Dr. May Abdel-Wahab knew she could help by palliating their pain and working towards a cure. Now, as Director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she delivers hope to patients in places where treatment has until now been unavailable. "So much can be done to treat cancer, but too many people
Nothing keeps me awake, everything keeps me going, with Peter Hawkins - UNICEF Representative in Yemen
Every day, Peter Hawkins wakes up filled with determination to make a difference. As the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Yemen, he puts that boundless energy into helping young people survive one of the world's most intractable humanitarian crises. "Despite serving in some of the most challenging and difficult places, I've been lucky," he says. "I've loved my life. I have
Working for peace in the DR Congo, with Vivian van de Perre - Deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Vivian van de Perre's calling is to help nations transition from conflict to peace. Now the deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she leads a life-saving operation in the rebel-held city of Goma. "It's tragic and it's unimaginable, but at the same time, people live their lives and they do the best they can, and they remain generous and warm, despite the circums
When war comes home, with Yacoub El Hillo - Regional Director for Africa at the UN Development Coordination Office
Yacoub El Hillo spent more than thirty years serving refugees and displaced people in some of the world's worst conflict zones. But when cataclysmic war erupted in his hometown of Khartoum, Sudan, the Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) had to help his own family flee the violence. "I don't think there's any home in Khartoum that was spared
Why I'll always champion Afghan women, with Georgette Gagnon - the UN Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan
With her background in human rights law, Georgette Gagnon was once said to represent the conscience of war. Currently serving as the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, she has been devastated by the sweeping loss of rights for women and girls there. "You used to see across the country hundreds of girls going to school... Now, of course, you don't see that, and it's
Do not take Democracy for granted, with Nicholas Haysom - Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS
As a young white activist in South Africa, Nicholas Haysom risked detention to oppose the apartheid regime, later working alongside Nelson Mandela. Now Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission there, he is still striving tirelessly in pursuit of peace and human rights. "The lesson of [Nelson] Mandela is not just being a nice person, it
What next for Syria's refugees, with Gonzalo Vargas Llosa - UNHCR Representative to Syria
Rather than follow in the footsteps of his late father, a Nobel-prize winning writer, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa opted instead to serve humanity. Now the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' Representative to Syria, he just witnessed a historic end to 14 years of conflict and crisis. "There were these long, long lines of cars of Syrian refugees coming back from Lebanon. So many of them stopped the car
Season 11
Our troubled world can be a source of great joy, and great suffering. United Nations staff witness both, day in day out, as they serve humanity in some of the toughest places on earth. They do so at considerable risk, and with shrinking resources. Yet despite all the challenges, dedicated UN staff around the world continue to find the strength to keep making a difference to millions of lives. Join
Women's rights are human rights, with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda - ASG and Deputy Exec. Director of UN Women
Having grown up in war-torn rural Zimbabwe, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda overcame extreme hardship to pursue a career at the highest levels of the United Nations. Now UN Assistant Secretary-General, and one of two deputy executive directors of UN Women, she wants little girls everywhere to aspire to the same heights. "Peace is a prerequisite. It's so critical for development… for unleashing the pot
Protecting children in crisis, with Catherine Russell - Executive Director of UNICEF
Catherine Russell never forgets the children she meets. As Executive Director of UNICEF, she bears witness to the stories of tens of millions of children and young people suffering around the world, and shares causes for optimism and hope wherever she finds it. "Children just want to be children. No matter what, the bleakest situation, the most terrible things, they still want to play right? Th
The battle to protect children from online abuse, with Carmen Corbin - UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Carmen Corbin dreamt of serving with the United Nations from an early age. Now head of transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking and terrorism prevention programs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in East Africa, she is dedicated to protecting children from shocking online exploitation. "We won't know who is real and who is not real. We can't keep up. All of us, in s
How to save humanity from climate breakdown with Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Celeste Saulo has always been fascinated by the weather. Now Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), she is seeing climate breakdown warp global weather systems beyond recognition, with devastating impacts on countless lives and livelihoods. "We can see how many people are suffering…We can see that people are running out of food, are running out of water, and the real
Love Is the One Thing that Solves Everything - Benjamin Perks - Head of Campaigns and Advocacy - UNICEF
Having overcome a childhood marked by violence, abuse and neglect, Benjamin Perks has always drawn strength from an innate sense of optimism. Now Head of Campaigns and Advocacy at UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, he helps protect young people in similar situations all over the world. "I think it was very clear that we were in a bad spot, though, being dealt a bad hand, but I was somehow
Love in the time of terrorism - Laura Dolci - Secretary of the Universal Periodic Review, Human Rights Council
UN official Laura Dolci was feeding her baby son when she heard the devastating news that her husband Jean-Sélim Kanaan had been killed in a suicide bomb attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. It was August 19, 2003: the darkest day in UN history, and the darkest day in her life. Just days before, she recalled, "he kissed us goodbye, and I remember telling him in my joking way: 'Be su
Peace is the Most Urgent Medicine - Hans Kluge - World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe
As a doctor, Dr. Hans Kluge helped save lives in some of the toughest places on Earth. Now the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, he is working to improve the health of hundreds of millions of people - in a region stretching from Vladivostok to Lisbon. "We cannot have health without peace. Peace is the most urgent medicine." Stepping into his European role
How Much Does it Cost to Feed the World? - Arif Husain - Chief Economist, World Food Programme WFP
Arif Husain has spent the past decade raising his voice on behalf of those struggling to get enough to eat. Now Chief Economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), he is calling for the world to put a stop to mass hunger. "We want people to scream at the top of their lungs saying enough is enough […] We as humanity will not tolerate this, regardless of what and where it is happening. It's jus
Season 10
Conflict, famine, humanitarian disasters, climate change. Our world and its peoples are facing huge challenges. Wherever and whenever crisis hits, United Nations staff are on the ground saving lives and negotiating at the highest levels to alleviate suffering. This work is only possible due to the personal sacrifices made every day by UN workers around the world. So, what motivates someone to lead
Why Actor Edward Norton Champions Biodiversity
Acclaimed actor, filmmaker and three-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton has long been raising his voice on behalf of the planet and its most vulnerable communities. As a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, he is championing the protection of biodiversity for the well-being of all. "It's quite heartbreaking. I started diving, when I was 14, in the Caribbean. The change to the reef
I promised I will tell the story - Muhannad Hadi - UN Deputy Special Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Muhannad Hadi knew that humanitarian work was his calling from an early age. Now UN Deputy Special Coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he is devoting himself to helping to alleviate the unimaginable suffering in Gaza. "They told me that agony, 24/7. They told me what they go through from the morning until they drop asleep, out of exhaustion. And I prom
Keeping hope alive - Juliette Murekeyisoni - UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Growing up as a refugee in Burundi, Juliette Murekeyisoni dedicated herself to helping others from an early age. In her recent role as UNHCR's deputy representative in South Sudan, she continued to keep hope alive by encouraging refugees to focus on their education and long-term perspectives. "For me, every time I meet them, I tell them: "Don't lose hope, you are not going to be a refugee forever.
Racing to prevent famine in Gaza - Matthew Hollingworth - World Food Programme (WFP)
Matthew Hollingworth has worked in conflict zones around the world, from Ukraine to South Sudan and Syria. Previously in charge of the World Food Programme's (WFP) emergency operations in the West Bank and Gaza, Matthew was responsible for delivering life-saving aid to desperate people. "People ask me every single day when I'm in Gaza: "When will the bombs stop? When will the fighting stop? When w
To fight global hunger, farmers know best - Beth Bechdol - Deputy Director-General - UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Growing up on a farm, Beth Bechdol never dreamed of following in her agricultural family's footsteps. Now Deputy Director-General of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), she has not only returned to her roots, but is now fighting the corner of farmers the world over. "I know what it takes to grow a crop and to provide enough support for your animals. And if you don't have access to a
Breaking barriers to progress - Achim Steiner - Head of United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Born in Brazil to German parents, Achim Steiner knows first hand the power of cultural exchange to drive international cooperation. Now head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), he leads global efforts to secure a better future for our planet and its people. "The clearest lesson from 50 years of modern development thinking is don't try and just pick one aspect and put all your eggs in
Human rights is our strongest tool - Volker Türk - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Volker Türk has the greatest respect for those able to hold onto hope when all appears to be lost. As United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, he has devoted his life and career to helping the world's most vulnerable people. "What has always struck me was encounters with people who are extremely resilient … who actually see hope, including in the most atrocious circumstances, and who ju
Everybody has Purpose - Amy Pope - Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Amy Pope has always championed humane and orderly migration as an opportunity for societies, not a problem. Now the first female Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) she is campaigning for a fundamental shift in attitudes towards newcomers. "You just give somebody a little space. Everybody has purpose. Everybody has dreams, everybody wants to be seen." Human mig
A Privilege to Serve Humanity - Joyce Msuya - OCHA - Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Big or small, Joyce Msuya has always found ways to give back. Now Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, she oversees the global response to the world's worst crises. "For me, personally, it's a privilege to serve humanity. I wake up every morning and think about how I can shift the ne
With AI, We're Building the Plane Mid-Flight - Doreen Bogdan-Martin - International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General
Doreen Bogdan-Martin's fascinating career handed her a front row seat for the digital revolution. Now Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), she's among those leading global efforts to set guardrails on the use of Artificial Intelligence. "I think we've never seen anything like this before … the plane is in flight and we're building it while we're flying - it's
Unlocking the Power of Youth - Jayathma Wickramanayake - Sr. policy advisor, UN Women
Appointed to a senior UN role aged just 26, Jayathma Wickramanayake's career trajectory testifies to the power of education. Now senior policy advisor at UN Women, she is working to empower all women and girls to fulfill their potential – whatever their background. "I was never told that because I was a girl, I couldn't do X, Y or Z. [My parents] always encouraged us to explore our passions … as l
No Place Like Home - Mohamed Yahya - UN Resident Coordinator, Pakistan
A former child refugee, Mohamed Yahya knows the life-long pain of yearning for a lost home. That's why some of his most emotional experiences with the United Nations have involved helping displaced people return to their towns years after they fled a brutal conflict. "A little bit of me was, I must say, envious of them, that they're able to go back home. I always imagine how I'll feel when I g
The Human Cost of War - Philippe Lazzarini - Head of UNRWA
Philippe Lazzarini holds one of the most challenging positions in the whole of the United Nations. As head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), he is leading the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza. "Ceasefire, ceasefire, ceasefire. If we have a ceasefire and the opening of the crossing, and we can flood assistance to the Gaza S
Season 9
Conflict, humanitarian disasters, climate change. Our world and its people are facing huge challenges. Wherever and whenever crisis hits, the United Nations staff are both on the ground saving lives and negotiating at the highest levels to alleviate suffering. This work is only possible due to the personal sacrifices made every day by UN staff around the world. So, what motivates someone to lead t
Rebuilding Lives in Ukraine - Karolina Lindholm Billing - UNHCR Representative in Ukraine
Karolina Lindholm Billing was posted to Ukraine less than a year before the full-scale Russian invasion. As the UNHCR Representative in the country, she draws hope from witnessing the power of community volunteer networks in supporting displaced people in their hour of need. "Volunteers from all areas of society have helped people who have been directly impacted by the war. They're cooking meals,
Help and Hope for the Hungry - Cindy H. McCain - WFP Executive Director
Cindy McCain has many pressing reasons to lie awake at night. As Head of the World Food Programme, it is her job to make sure the millions of vulnerable people around the world who are relying on United Nations food assistance – from Gaza to Sudan to Afghanistan – don't starve. "Our job is to give hope and help by giving food to those who really need it most. And that's what we do." Hunger is
Pursuing Justice in ISIL's Wake - Christian Ritscher - UN Special Adviser
Christian Ritscher's work brings him into contact with some of humanity's worst outrages. As head of the United Nations investigative team to promote accountability for the crimes committed by ISIL in Iraq, he seeks justice for victims of the notoriously violent terror group. "Justice gives relief not only to the victims, but to a prosecutor as well. That is what keeps you upright and keeps you go
Unleashing Hidden Talent - Gordon Brown - UN Special Envoy for Global Education
A committed public servant, Gordon Brown has a strong sense of social responsibility. Now United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is working towards a powerful vision: giving every child the chance to go to school. "There is talent, there is potential, there is brilliance in all parts of the world. There's a new Einstein, there's a new Ma
Haunted by Tales of Torture - Alice Jill Edwards - UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
Dr. Alice Jill Edwards spends many of her days listening to the testimonies of torture victims. Now the UN's Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, she works towards a world in which torture is finally a thing of the past. "I do remember the faces of most of the people I've met, and in fact, they keep me going in this work. And at the sa
A Painstaking Quest for Justice - Catherine Marchi-Uhel - Head of IIIM
A former judge, Catherine Marchi-Uhel has spent a lifetime pursuing justice. Now, leading the quest for accountability for atrocities and war crimes committed in the Syrian civil war, she finds comfort in survivors' resilience and their determination to move on with their lives. "In Syria, I was really struck by this lack of revenge. I haven't seen many people wanting revenge. They want justice.
Saving Seas, One Swim at a Time - Lewis Pugh - Ocean Advocate for the UN Environment Programme
Lewis Pugh was never afraid to take the plunge. Now ocean advocate for the United Nations Environment Programme, the record-breaking cold-water swimmer has completed long distance swims at both of the earth's Poles, in the Red Sea, and along the length of the Hudson River, to spread a message of habitat renewal and conservation. "The first thing that happens is I can't breathe and I'm gasping for
Sorrow and relief on the shores of Greece - Erasmia Roumana - Protection associate, UNHCR
Erasmia Roumana's job requires extraordinary strength. Working in Greece as a protection associate with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, she interviews refugees who have survived devastating shipwrecks at sea after embarking on desperate journeys in search of a better life. "I have seen some very horrible situations. And I always wonder at that moment, how can people survive this? How can people mov
Invigorated by Africa - Stephen Jackson - UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya
Stephen Jackson fell hard for Africa three decades ago, and never looked back. Now the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, he channels his passion into his work, bringing together UN agencies to support the continent in its drive for sustainable development. "Sometimes in this job, you just end up falling in love with the country where you work. Kenya is a very special place, and I think is a coun
Feeding the Forgotten - Reena Ghelani - UN ASG Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator
Reena Ghelani knows all too well the jarring silence of a crowded malnutrition ward. Now United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator, she spends every day working on the frontlines of the global fight against hunger. "You expect children to cry if they're suffering, but they don't even have the energy to cry. And the other thing is, I found that the moth
Season 8 - There to help
What does it take to be a United Nations worker in some of the world's most complex and dangerous places? How are UN humanitarians, human rights advocates, prosecutors, development experts, climate leaders and peacekeepers improving our world?
Stationed in all reaches of the world and witness to suffering and atrocities, how are they helping people and coping themselves?
To find out, Melissa Fle
My Heart Was Crying - Sara Beysolow Nyanti - Former Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan
Growing up in Liberia, Sara Beysolow Nyanti is no stranger to the lasting pain of a country ravaged by recurring violence. As Former Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, she often encountered the anguish of those bearing the psychological scars of war. "This woman [told me] we have nightmares … And she talked about losing her four children and she said it without crying. My heart
The Last Best Hope Humanity Has - Ramiz Alakbarov - former UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan
"It's not just food and assistance, you need to give these children a life, a life of full opportunities… So, I think we're so far from where we need to go, to make the difference." When thousands fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, fearing the loss of millions of lives, stayed on. Every day since, the former UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in the
The Africa the World Needs - Cristina Duarte - UN Under-Secretary-General & Special Adviser on Africa
Cristina Duarte always brings great passion to any task she takes on. Now Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, she works tirelessly to help the continent imagine a better tomorrow, one which not only meets its people's needs, but also fulfills their dreams. "The Africa we want is the Africa the world needs … [one that gives Africans] the social space to fully exercise all the ent
The Light in Their Eyes - Najat Maalla M'jid - UN Special Representative on Violence against Children
A pediatrician by training, Najat Maalla M'jid has always been dedicated to rescuing children from suffering. Now United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, she works tirelessly to protect young people around the world. "What I learned in my life, it's the eyes. […] When you are speaking with children, when you have light in their eyes, it's still
Bringing Health to the World - Dr. David Nabarro - Special Envoy of the WHO Director-General on COVID-19
Dr. David Nabarro has dedicated his life to global health. After a long career that's taken him from the horrors of war torn Iraq, to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he is still spurred to action by the tremendous inequalities in global access to medical care. "The thing that keeps me awake most at night is the rampant inequities in our world…We see an awful lot of needless
The Missiles Don't Stop Us - Denise Brown - UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine
Denise Brown knows what it takes to work under the shadow of war. As UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, she and her team must brave considerable risks as they strive to meet the colossal humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people in the midst of a brutal war. "The missiles slow us down, but they don't stop us. That's testament to the courage, determination, and experience of the
Haunted by Syria's Suffering - Sajjad Malik - Syria UNHCR - bitesize special
Sajjad Malik witnessed terrible suffering during the Syrian crisis. As UNHCR's former representative in the country, he oversaw one of the UN Refugee Agency's toughest and most dangerous operations. "There are certain images that will stay with me for a very long time. Because those are the images that cannot be forgotten overnight." Since the war in Syria started in 2011 more than 5.7 million pe
But Where Are You Really From? - Amanda Khozi Mukwashi - UN Resident Coordinator in Lesotho
With her writing, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi wants to change the conversation on race, gender, and identity. Now United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, she has written a book exploring the struggle for equity and the historical baggage of slavery and colonization. "Let's talk about it a little more freely, not for it to hold our hands and tie them, but for it to liberate us to think differentl
Expanding your heart - Ulrika Richardson - UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti
Ulrika Richardson has dedicated her life to the UN. As resident and humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, her belief in the organization's idealistic values drives her to brave significant dangers in her mission to alleviate the suffering she has witnessed there. "When you see people suffer, those images stay with you … that keeps you awake, and it should keep you awake." Life in Haiti remains precar
Giving Voice to Victims in Ukraine - Matilda Bogner - Head of UN Human Rights mission in Ukraine
Matilda Bogner's job is to bear witness to unspeakable crimes. As head of the United Nations Human Rights mission in Ukraine, she and her team record accounts of horrific abuses and rights violations in a bid to bring the perpetrators to justice and ease the victims' suffering. "It's a very complicated job, but it is meeting people and finding out their stories. It's giving voices to victims. Tha
Fighting Disinformation to Survive - Irene Khan - UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression
Growing up at a time of war in Bangladesh, Irene Khan learned first-hand how access to trustworthy information can save lives. Now UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, she advocates for reliable information for all, especially during conflict. "Access to information from outside the conflict from a source that we felt was verifi
My Story Gives Other Child Soldiers Hope -Alfred Orono - Chief of Child Protection at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
Alfred Orono's childhood came to an abrupt end when he was recruited as a soldier in Uganda, when he was just 11 years old. Now Chief of Child Protection at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), he draws on his own experience as a child soldier to help young people find a peaceful way forward. "I work with children who, when I look at them, I know exactly what's going on in their min
Harnessing constructive outrage - Staffan de Mistura - UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara
Staffan de Mistura has dedicated his life to making a difference. Now the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, he spent a large part of his 48-year career at the UN striving for an end to some of the most intractable conflicts of modern times. "I have no regrets. I would have never chosen another type of job. I think you can [make a difference] even in the worst-case scenario -
The Power of One Small Act - Chris Mburu - UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Congo
Chris Mburu's life was transformed by a small act of kindness. Now the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Congo, he grew up in a Kenyan family struggling to afford his education. That was until a stranger in Sweden offered to pay for him to go to school. "When I look at poverty, it evokes memories of my own childhood. What keeps me going is the desire to keep as many people as possible out
Leading in Tragic Times - Deborah Lyons - UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
Deborah Lyons knows how to keep a cool head in a crisis. In August 2021, when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, Deborah, in her former role as Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), was responsible for ensuring the safety of staff across the country, among them many women. "I don't think anyone expected the chaos, the sadness, the carnage, the enormous shock
Life After Islamic State - Bitesize special - Adiba Qasim - Yazidi refugee and humanitarian
Adiba Qasim has shown extraordinary courage and resilience. She narrowly escaped when her village was stormed by Islamic State militants who killed and enslaved thousands of Yazidis. This is her story. "We were surrounded by the Islamic State. And we had no weapons even to fight. We had nothing. We were left alone." Returning to northern Iraq in 2015, Adiba threw herself into humanitarian w
Knowing the Pain of the Displaced - Ugochi Daniels - IOM
Ugochi Daniels was just six years old when her family fled the civil war in Nigeria. Now the International Organization for Migration's Deputy Director General for Operations, she is often struck by the pain of uprooted children, most recently those escaping from Ukraine. "I noticed this woman with a 10-year-old boy. He never looked up, his eyes were down, and he never blinked. And I just kept o
It Wasn't My Day To Die - Bitesize Special - Giles Duley
Giles Duley used to live the rock'n'roll life of a fashion photographer, but now travels the world's war zones documenting the lives of those caught up in conflict. He stepped on a landmine while working in Afghanistan and lost three of his limbs, and very nearly his life. This is his story. "It was a miracle I survived that day. I was just lucky, it just wasn't my day to go." Incredibly fortu
A Life-long Quest for Justice - Serge Brammertz
Serge Brammertz is one of the world's leading international prosecutors. As Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, he leads the process of tracking down fugitive criminals from wars in the former Yugoslavia, and the genocide in Rwanda. "Every single person indicted is exactly the opposite of a hero. And the only heroes in fact are the survivors and victims
Believe in the Power of Change - Rebeca Grynspan
Despite monitoring multiple global crises, Rebeca Grynspan has never lost her faith in the power of change. As Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), she is assessing the impact of the war in Ukraine on cash-strapped countries still reeling from the pandemic. "We don't have to be naive, but we have to believe in change, because change has happened. An
Not Here to Judge You - Bitesize Special - Monique Sokhan
Monique Sokhan survived the Cambodian genocide, having fled the Khmer Rouge terror when she was just a small child. Now, working as Senior Protection Coordinator, at UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, she is still searching for answers about the atrocities that killed many of her family members. "It's difficult because you're wondering why others have died and you're alive. And for
The heartbreaking struggle to help Ukraine - Osnat Lubrani
Osnat Lubrani knows first-hand the horrors of war. As UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, she has witnessed the dramatic changes since the Russian invasion and rapidly mounting needs as the war tears lives apart across the country. "What is keeping me awake at night is the horror of knowing that it hasn't ended yet and that there are more people alive today that are ve
Climate Action in the Shadow of War - Vladislav Kaim
Vladislav Kaim is dedicated to protecting the environment. A member of the UN Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, he promotes green jobs, the energy transition, and generous climate finance - urgent priorities for our rapidly warming world. Yet the war in Ukraine has blown apart regional and global networks working towards a livable future. "The war is affecting the sustainable development of
Risking Your Life For Peace - Unaisi Vuniwaqa
What does it take to stay calm in the crossfire? Unaisi Vuniwaqa has witnessed terrible suffering. As the Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security, she has worked as a UN peacekeeper in some of the world's most dangerous places. "Sometimes it can be very overwhelming, you really feel for the people and the suffering that they're going through." Peacekeepers have one of the toughest role
Even children of war find hope - Bo Viktor Nylund
What would it take to make that happen? Bo Viktor Nylund has always been drawn to complex, difficult places. As the Representative of UNICEF in Syria, he is a passionate advocate for the rights of children growing up in one of the world's most thorny and protracted crises. "When I meet with children, I just see that there's always that glimpse of hope in their eyes and that drive to make a future
Sitting face to face with the Taliban - Mary-Ellen McGroarty
What is it like living and working in Afghanistan as a woman leader of a UN Agency? Mary-Ellen McGroarty witnessed the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021. As Head of the World Food Programme in the country, she has seen first hand the seismic shift in the economic, political and cultural landscape. "Some days, I sometimes wish I hadn't been here before the 15th of August, because the
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