Best International Committee of the Red Cross Podcasts (2025)

1
Principles for prioritising & allocating humanitarian needs: A discussion with Hugo Slim 29:19

12d ago29:19

29:19

In this episode of 'A Matter of Priorities,' our host Alice Obrecht continues her conversation with Hugo Slim on his work with the Norwegian Center for Humanitarian Studies. The discussion focuses on more detailed principles for prioritising and allocating humanitarian resources, such as the principle of shared responsibility. He explores how geopo…

1
A Brotherhood in Arms: The Red Cross Event that Brings Enemies Together 23:04

13d ago23:04

23:04

Since the beginning of time, war has been used as a tool to resolve disagreements. While countless numbers of civilians die in war, the cost of war only gets more expensive each year. In this episode, we look at one of the only programs on the globe that brings together adversaries and allies to talk through ways to reduce the costs of war—in treas…

1
Digital MHPSS 23:58

15d ago23:58

23:58

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Monia Aebersold and Kristofer Vernmark explains the concept and the benefits of digital MHPSS and present the digital MHPSS toolkit availble on the MHPSS Hub website. Monia is the MHPSS Project Manager in charge of psychosocial support services at the Swiss Red Cross with 20 years of experience in the field…

1
Feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space: the MHPSS Specialist 34:41

29d ago34:41

34:41

In this third and final episode in a podcast series about ‘feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space’ MHPSS Hub, Senior Communication Officer, Villads Zahle interviews Team Lead for the Technical Unit at the MHPSS Hub, Sarah Harrison. Almost 300 aid workers were killed in 2024 – the largest number in history…

1
Resetting humanitarian needs: A discussion with Hugo Slim 25:13

1M ago25:13

25:13

In this episode of 'A Matter of Priorities,' as the sector as a whole looks at a 'humanitarian reset,' our host Alice Obrecht delves into the definition of a humanitarian need with Hugo Slim and how these boundaries might be redefined. The episode features insights from Hugo Slim, a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, who discusses …

1
Feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space: the Crisis Communicator 26:22

1M ago26:22

26:22

In this second of three episodes in a series about ‘feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space’ MHPSS Hub, Senior Communication Officer, Villads Zahle interviews former Communication Team lead for a large humanitarian INGO, Iben de Neergaard. Almost 300 aid workers were killed in 2024 – the largest number in …

1
Feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space: the Security Adviser 34:45

1M ago34:45

34:45

In this first of three episodes in a series about 'feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space' MHPSS Hub, Senior Communication Officer, Villads Zahle interviews Danish Red Cross, Senior Security Adviser, Sabina Brimson. Almost 300 aid workers were killed in 2024 – the largest number in history. Additionally, …

1
Digital Dilemmas 2.0: Deepfakes 20:45

2M ago20:45

20:45

In this Digital Dilemmas 2.0: Deepfakes episode, we take a look at two poignant questions: “How do we distinguish truth from manipulation? Who owns the truth?“ We tour a deepfake exhibit created by the ICRC and L'École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) at the United Nations. Then, we zoom out and look at how dissemination of harmful narrati…

1
Humanitarian Dispatch from the Congo: Violence Grips Goma 20:15

3M ago20:15

20:15

In a country of more than 100 armed groups, the Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the most protracted and forgotten conflicts in the world. In the latest Intercross episode, we ask what the recent hostilities that started around December mean for the more than 4.5 million people who have been forced to flee their homes? And what is the ICRC’s…

1
2025 Trailer 0:36

3M ago0:36

0:36

We'll be back soon with new episodes. For now please like, follow, rate, review, and subscribe to Intercross wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on X @ICRC_dc Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss an episode. See archived episodes, bonus materials, and additional information on our website.…

1
The prioritisation challenge in focus: WFP 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

In this episode of A Matter of Priorities, our host Alice Obrecht takes a deep dive into the ripple effects of unprecedented budget cuts to the World Food Program (WFP). With a shortfall of over 50% in its 2023 budget, WFP faced its largest financial crisis in its 60-year history, forcing it to make drastic reductions in food and cash assistance ac…

1
Working with children with missing family members 35:38

4M ago35:38

35:38

In this third and final episode of our miniseries on Ambiguous Loss, we dig deep with Roubina Tahmazian from ICRC into the critical yet often overlooked topic of children’s wellbeing in the context of families of the missing. Too often, the needs and emotional wellbeing of children are sidelined as families grapple with the uncertainty and challeng…

1
The prioritisation challenge in focus: ICRC 18:15

4M ago18:15

18:15

In this episode of A Matter of Priorities, we explore the significant budget cuts faced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and their far-reaching consequences. Established in 1863, the ICRC provides critical protection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict. However, in 2023, the organisation announced cuts amountin…

1
Counting the uncountable 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

In this episode, we discuss the role of evidence in resource allocation decisions, focusing on the new Joint and Intersectoral Analysis Framework (GF 2.0). We explore how this approach aims to address flaws in traditional needs assessments and improve transparency in humanitarian responses. You can find more on the JIAF 2.0 here: https://knowledge.…

1
Ambiguous Loss in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement 28:16

4M ago28:16

28:16

In this second episode in a three part miniseries about ambiguous loss, MHPSS Technical Advisor Arz Stefan talks to Dr. Maureen Mooney about operationalising ambiguous loss in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Dr. Maureen Mooney is a clinical psychologist. She worked in the French Red Cross and the ICRC supporting the Restoring Family Links prog…

1
Ambiguous loss 31:26

4M ago31:26

31:26

In this first episode in a three part miniseries about ambiguous loss, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Hub MHPSS Technical Advisor Arz Stephan engages in a thought-provoking interview with Dr. Pauline Boss, an esteemed research therapist and author. Dr. Boss is widely recognized as a pioneering figure in the field of ambiguous loss, a concept she i…

1
The ICRC Central Tracing Agency 16:27

5M ago16:27

16:27

Restoring family links has been at the heart of the ICRC's mandate since the organization's earliest days. ICRC researcher Cédric Cotter explains how the role of the ICRC Central Tracing Agency has evolved since the Basel Agency for the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. Dušan Vujašanin talks about the work and challenges of the most recent Central Traci…

1
Respecting and Caring for the Dead 16:34

5M ago16:34

16:34

When people are killed in armed conflict, the states concerned must ensure that their bodies are identified and handed over to their families as soon as possible. This is not only a legal obligation that they must comply with, it is also a humanitarian endeavor and a fundamental human value. Helen Obregon, ICRC legal advisor, and Carlos Villalobos,…

1
Accounting for the Missing in Armed Conflict 14:16

5M ago14:16

14:16

States parties to an international armed conflict have an unconditional obligation to account for enemy soldiers and civilians in their hands, whether alive, wounded or dead. They must in particular set up National Information Bureaus (NIBs) to collect information about them and share it with the ICRC. ICRC Karen Loehner and Benjamin Charlier accom…

1
How to Search for Missing Persons 13:41

5M ago13:41

13:41

The Geneva Conventions require all states to prevent people from going missing and to search for those who do. Jose Serralvo, ICRC legal advisor, details these obligations. He is joined by Jérôme Cassou, data manager at the ICRC CTA Bureau for the international armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, who talks about the practical…

1
Family's Right to Know 14:36

5M ago14:36

14:36

Families have the right to know what happened to their loved ones. They also have the right to see their family's life and unity preserved. Ximena Londoño, ICRC legal advisor, and Anastasia Kushleyko, strategy advisor at the CTA Bureau, explain what this means in practice, what the states concerned must do to ensure these rights are respected, and …

1
Memory and legacy of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami 21:08

5M ago21:08

21:08

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks with Associate Professor Emmanual Raju from the University of Copenhagen about the role of memory in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and recovery and how memories of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami influenced DRR work in India. This is the final episode in a four-part…

1
Mind the gap 21:17

5M ago21:17

21:17

In 2023, funding for humanitarian assistance and protection declined by 20 percent, despite new major crises and the continuation of long-standing conflicts. And there are expectations that cuts will only continue into 2025. Many in the humanitarian sector are referring to this as a catastrophic ‘financial cliff’ that will have major implications f…

1
Reflecting on the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on global MHPSS practice 46:55

5M ago46:55

46:55

In this episode, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks with Professor Emeritus Mike Wessells from Columbia University about developments in MHPSS programming and practice following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis, including the development of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings. This is the third episode in a four-part series of…

1
MHPSS responses to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka 41:47

5M ago41:47

41:47

This is the second episode in a four-part series of Heartbeat of Humanity reflecting on the impacts of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis. In this episode, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks with Ananda Galappatti, co-founder and co-Director of MHPSS.net about the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on MHPSS work in Sri Lank…

1
Health responses to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Indonesia 30:43

6M ago30:43

30:43

This is the first episode in a four-part series of Heartbeat of Humanity reflecting on the impacts of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis. In this episode, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks with Dr Dewindra Widiamurti, Regional Health Program Delegate with the Finnish Red Cross, about her experiences working in Aceh Province wit…

1
ALNAP’s A Matter of Priorities: a podcast on tough choices in humanitarian funding trailer 3:54

6M ago3:54

3:54

The humanitarian principle of providing assistance to those in greatest need is facing unprecedented challenges. With funding decreasing and the number of people requiring support rising sharply, humanitarian donors and organisations are grappling with impossible decisions about who to prioritise and what needs to address. A Matter of Priorities di…

1
Duty of care: supportive supervision for staff and volunteers - Arabic 40:37

7M ago40:37

40:37

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Ahlem Cheffi, PS Centre MHPSS technical advisor for the MENA region explains the concept of supportive supervision. Supportive supervision is a safe, supportive, confidential and collaborative relationship between a supervisor and supervisee, and/or supervisees where supervisees can voice their difficulties…

1
Caring for Staff and Volunteers: When your workplace is a warzone - voices from the field - Arabic 47:56

7M ago47:56

47:56

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Ahlem Cheffi, PS Centre MHPSS technical advisor for the MENA region talks to Nisreen Qawas, MHPSS director for the Palestinian Red Crescent and Rim Alsakkaf, Psychosocial Support and Protection manager at the Yemeni Red Crescent about Caring for staff and volunteers when the workplace is a warzone.…

1
Community disaster resilience 33:21

8M ago33:21

33:21

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to Antonia Mackay about how communities can build resilience to climate disasters and other shocks and hazards. Antonia Mackay is the National Resilience Manager at Australian Red Cross, where she leads the organisation's disaster resilience programming, including…

1
Mental health and the climate crisis 32:39

9M ago32:39

32:39

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to Ana Mejia about mental health and the climate crisis. Ana Mejia is a former member of the Youth Advisory Group of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and a volunteer from the Ecuadorian Red Cross. Ana leads a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team i…

1
Disaster preparedness and disaster resilience 43:38

9M ago43:38

43:38

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Technical Advisor Shona Whitton talks to John Richardson about disaster preparedness, disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction. And why it is a problem calling fires, floods and storms ‘natural disasters’. John Richardson is the Manager of Knowledge Development at the Australian Institute for D…

1
Blessures morales et dilemmes Éthiques 22:29

9M ago22:29

22:29

English text below Dans cet épisode de Heartbeat of Humanity, Arz Stephan, conseiller technique SMSPSS, s’entretient avec Ahlem Cheffi, conseillère technique de SMSPS, sur les concepts de « dilemme éthique » et de « blessure morale » et sur leur impact sur les travailleurs humanitaires, y compris le personnel et les bénévoles de la Croix-Rouge et d…

1
Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health (APH), Ukraine 9:20

10M ago9:20

9:20

In Episode 3, ALNAP director Juliet Parker meets Andriy Klepikov, executive director of the Alliance for Public Health (APH) in Ukraine. Juliet speaks to Andriy about the adjustments APH has had to make since Ukraine's war with Russia began and the learning that has been pulled through from previous work into this new reality. Andriy explains APH's…

1
Andy Wheatley and Ahmad Kazouini, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 14:47

10M ago14:47

14:47

Juliet Parker, the director of ALNAP, the global network for humanitarian learning, meets Ahmad Kazouini, water & habitat coordinator for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Somalia, and Andy Wheatley, ICRC's African regional anticipatory action adviser, in the second episode of the new Learning Curve podcast series. With such a go…

1
Loreine B. Dela Cruz, Executive Director, Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), Philippines 16:19

10M ago16:19

16:19

In the first episode of the new ALNAP's The Learning Curve: a podcast for busy humanitarians series, Juliet Parker, the director of ALNAP, the global network for humanitarian learning, speaks to Loreine B. Dela Cruz, executive director of the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) in the Philippines. The wealth of learning that exists in the Philip…

1
ALNAP's The Learning Curve: a podcast for busy humanitarians trailer 0:56

10M ago0:56

0:56

The Learning Curve: a podcast for busy humanitarians podcast is a new podcast for busy humanitarians brought to you by ALNAP, the global network for humanitarian learning. We will be talking to people from right across the humanitarian sector in a variety of jobs in different parts of the globe about what the humanitarian sector would look like if …

1
PFA training for youth in Greenland 25:34

10M ago25:34

25:34

In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews project manager, Erni Kristiansen and project consultant, Bebbie Petersen about youth to youth Psychological First Aid (PFA) in Greenland.By The IFRC Psychosocial Centre

1
Presenting Training Guide on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies 25:36

1y ago25:36

25:36

In this episode Communication Officer at the IFRC PS Centre, Villads Zahle interviews emergency expert and MHPSS technical advisor, Shona Whitton about the newly published Training Guide on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies. Shona outlines the potential of the new guide in the context of her professional experiences in emergenci…

1
MHPSS evidence building in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement 36:22

1y ago36:22

36:22

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Sarah Kate van der Walt, Technical Adviser in the IFRC Psychosocial Centre and Monia Aebersold MHPSS, International Focal Point from the Swiss Red Cross, will be talking with Rebecca Horn Independent MHPSS Specialist on the importance of MHPSS evidence building in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Th…

1
Broken Cities: Rebuilding Mosul 7 Years On 19:31

1y ago19:31

19:31

In 2017, a battle raged in Mosul, as Iraqi armed forces and their international supporters fought to dislodge Islamic State fighters from the city. Almost 2 million people—half of Mosul’s population--fled from the fighting. During the battle, over 9000 civilians were killed and more than 130,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. In the latest episod…

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