Best Ifrc Podcasts (2025)

1
Rising waters, rising needs: Inside the Red Cross response to catastrophic floods across Asia 13:01

2h ago13:01

13:01

In this episode, we look at the severe floods and landslides that have swept across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, affecting millions of people and destroying homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Rising health risks, damaged roads, and ongoing rains are making the response increasingly challenging. We speak with John Entwi…

1
Evidence from the Frontline: Mental Health in Crisis Affected Contexts, episode 5: EASE 44:49

5h ago44:49

44:49

Evidence from the Frontline: Mental Health in Crisis Affected Contexts, episode 5: EASE “What matters to young people? Climate, jobs, and mental health.” Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) is an evidence-based group intervention that helps 10–15-year-olds in adversity-affected communities manage stress, anxiety, and depression through skil…

1
Protecting children amid crisis: Inside the Middle East vaccination drive with IFRC teams 18:09

3h ago18:09

18:09

In this episode, we look at a major vaccination drive now underway across Gaza and Lebanon, where IFRC and Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are working to reach children who have missed routine immunizations due to conflict, displacement, and economic collapse. Health systems across the region are under immense strain, leaving many children unprote…

1
Evidence from the Frontline: Mental Health in Crisis Affected Contexts, episode 4: Thinking Healthy 33:08

5d ago33:08

33:08

Tackling the complex issue of perinatal mental health. Thinking Healthy (TH), a brief psychological intervention that can be delivered by trained and supervised community health care workers. It uses simple cognitive behavioral techniques to provide mothers with support and to improve mental health outcomes for the mother and new-born infant. In th…

1
Rising climate risks and the voices shaping solutions: IFRC at COP 30 in Belem 8:42

14d ago8:42

8:42

In this episode, we turn our attention to COP 30 - the United Nations climate conference taking place this year in Belem, Brazil. As world leaders, scientists, humanitarians and activists gather to negotiate critical climate commitments, the stakes are higher than ever for communities at the front lines of the climate crisis. The IFRC is working to…

1
Climate of storms: A string of recent super storms expose the human costs of a warming world 35:50

4d ago35:50

35:50

Even in places where tropical storms are normal a part of life, the destructive power of Hurricane Melissa and the two recent Typhoons in the Philippines came as a shock to the millions of people who lived through them. When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, for example, it was classified as a Category 5 — the strongest storm the island n…

1
Relentless attacks, rolling blackouts and colder forecasts: A hard winter coming in Ukraine 13:37

20d ago13:37

13:37

In this episode, we focus on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and what may be the hardest winter for millions of Ukrainians since the beginning of the conflict. The combination of relentless attacks, rolling blackouts, colder forecasts, and deepening economic hardships is leaving entire communities in the dark and cold. With prices rising and …

1
From earthquake to two typhoons: Philippines hit with triple disaster. Red Cross responds 10:52

20d ago10:52

10:52

First, a powerful earthquake struck Cebu at the end of September. Then Typhoon Kalmaegi battered the same region - and just days later, Super Typhoon Fungwong swept across the country, leaving a trail of destruction. Millions of people have been affected, with hundreds of thousands still in evacuation centres. The country has faced disaster after d…

1
A worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan 9:35

26d ago9:35

9:35

In this episode, we turn our attention to Sudan, where after more than 2.5 years of conflict, the country faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises and the largest displacement crisis globally. Joining us is IFRC spokesperson Tommaso Della Longa, who helps us understand the latest developments and the extent of the urgent humanitarian resp…

1
The IFRC response to Hurricane Melissa began well before the storm made landfall 13:40

28d ago13:40

13:40

In this first episode of IRCS News, we look at the Red Cross response to disaster at a huge scale. Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, is a stark reminder of how the climate crisis is driving humanitarian emergencies. IFRC and Red Cross teams in the region have been providing emergency shelter, clean wa…

1
Moral Injury in the line of duty 38:44

1M ago38:44

38:44

On 3 September 2025 the docudrama the Voice of Hind Rajab had its world premiere during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The movie directed by Kaouther Ben Hania received 24 minutes of standing ovation and won the Grand Jury Prize. For our colleague Nisreen Qawas, MHPSS director for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the voice of Hin…

1
Fighting hunger through the power of motherhood and fatherhood 28:50

2M ago28:50

28:50

This episode Red Vest podcast takes you on an immersive journey to remote villages in northern Nigeria. There, you will meet the Mothers Clubs and Papas Clubs that are challenging social norms in order to tackle a severe and persistent hunger crisis and improve the health of their communities. We’ll also introduce you to another very important char…

1
Evidence from the Frontline: Mental Health in Crisis Affected Contexts, episode 3: CETA 43:16

2M ago43:16

43:16

When is a transdiagnostic approach the best route to quality mental health care in crisis affected context, and how does it work in practice? In this third episode, Sarah Harrison, Director of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub, talks to three experts with extensive experience with CETA, the Common Elements Treatment Approach System of C…

1
Evidence from the Frontline: Mental Health in Crisis Affected Contexts, episode 2: Child Friendly Spaces 45:27

2M ago45:27

45:27

Do Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) really improve children’s mental health? Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) are safe, structured places established quickly in emergencies where children can play, learn, and receive psychosocial support, to promote protection and wellbeing. In this second episode, Sarah Harrison, Acting Director of the Red Cross Red Crescen…

1
Evidence from the Frontline: Mental Health in Crisis Affected Contexts, episode 1: Self-Help Plus 54:44

2M ago54:44

54:44

How do we adapt an evidence-based mental health intervention for different communities in crisis-affected settings? In this first episode Sarah Harrison, Acting Director of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub, interviews Ken Carswell a Mental health Specialist from WHO and Lidiia Kasianchuk a psychologist from Ukraine with experience of i…

1
Lost and found at sea: Saving lives and coping with loss aboard an ocean rescue vessel. 31:43

3M ago31:43

31:43

It’s one of the most demanding and unusual humanitarian missions happening in the world today, and it’s being carried out at sea, by the crew of the Ocean Viking rescue vessel. Chartered by SOS MEDITERRANEE in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the ship patrols the Mediterranean Sea to resc…

1
Teaser: New podcast series coming up 1:37

3M ago1:37

1:37

In this short teaser, Acting Director of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub Sarah Harrison introduces a coming podcast series on the Heartbeat of Humanity channel. The six-episode podcast series is called Evidence from the Frontline – mental health in crisis affected contexts and it is produced in a collaboration between the MHPSS Hub an…

1
Regional trainings in Africa and the Americas 41:17

3M ago41:17

41:17

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle interviews MHPSS specialists Cátia Matos and Guleed Dualeh about the first regional MHPSS trainings conducted by the Red Cross Red Crescent MHPSS Hub. These two trainings, one in Kenya and one in Paraguay, mark a paradigm shift for the MHPSS Hub and Cátia and Guleed expla…

1
MHPSS in the Africa region 30:05

4M ago30:05

30:05

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, through four interviews, Communications Officer Jesper Guhle explores the MHPSS programmes and services provided by Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies across the African region. Interviewees: Serah Kalumbilo, Zambia Red Cross Society Ernest P. Nyame Annan, Ghana Red Cross Society Omar Sheikh Mohamud,…

1
Inside Sport Coach+: The role of sport in youth mental health 58:17

5M ago58:17

58:17

In this episode we will talk about the Sport Coach+ initiative implemented in a partnership between the MHPSS Hub and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF). The initiative aims to create trauma informed and healing centered sports environments for young athletes between the ages of 10 and 24 with a focus on those with a background of displacement. Th…

1
Who needs further support following a natural hazard? 15:02

6M ago15:02

15:02

This episode of Heartbeat of Humanity is the fourth and last episode in a mini-series about the mental health of children and young adults in the contexts of emergencies or conflict with child and adolescent psychiatrist Brett McDermott. In this episode, MHPSS Adviser Arz Stephan talks to Brett about who among children and adolescents - or people i…

1
Children and MHPSS: Getting through the first year after a natural hazard 24:11

6M ago24:11

24:11

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Adviser Arz Stephan talks to Brett McDermott about how parents and caregivers can help children get through the first year after a natural hazard. Brett is an Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is head of Tasmania’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and professor at the Universi…

1
Helping children after a natural hazard: tips for parents and teachers 34:38

7M ago34:38

34:38

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Adviser Arz Stephan talks to Brett McDermott about how parents and teachers can help children after a natural hazard. Brett is an Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is head of Tasmania’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and professor at the University of Tasmania. Brett has led…

1
Mental health, natural hazards and children 23:20

7M ago23:20

23:20

In this episode of Heartbeat of Humanity, MHPSS Adviser Arz Stephan talks to Brett McDermott about mental health, natural hazards and children. Brett is an Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is head of Tasmania’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and professor at the University of Tasmania. Brett has led several post-disaster…

1
Digital MHPSS 23:58

8M 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

8M 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
Feeling responsible for the safety of colleagues in a shrinking humanitarian space: the Crisis Communicator 26:22

8M 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
‘A month of giving’ during ‘unprecedented suffering’: IFRC’s director for the Middle East and North Africa reflects on Ramadan and acts of kindness amidst conflict and tragedy 31:03

8M ago31:03

31:03

As Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, IFRC’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Hossam Elsharkawi, reflects on the humanitarian crises impacting his region and on what Muslims consider a sacred month of fasting, giving and prayer. “Through fasting, you feel what's it like to be hungry, what's it like to be thirsty,” sa…

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

8M 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
Big challenges, uncertain times. A talk with Loyce Pace, IFRC’s new regional director for the Americas 32:34

9M ago32:34

32:34

How will technology shape the way we respond to emergencies? What is ‘human biology’ and how is it connected to human rights? What are the big challenges ahead for global health during uncertain times? Loyce Pace, IFRC’s new Regional Director for the America, is well placed to explore these questions. With a long background in community and global …

1
‘I know what it takes to experience that level of vulnerability’ – IFRC’s new regional director for Africa talks about the challenges ahead 35:39

9M ago35:39

35:39

What does it take to manage humanitarian crisis response for a massive continent dealing with a wide range of challenges – conflict, mass population movements, epidemics, tropical storms, drought and a widespread hunger crisis. Find out how IFRC’s new regional director for the Africa region, Charles Businge, plans to tackle these challenges and how…

1
Unpacking trust – that invisible yet critical element – with Jessie Thomson, IFRC’s head of delegation in Türkiye 41:02

9M ago41:02

41:02

Trust is not easy to quantify. But without it, many things in life become impossible. Humanitarian work is no exception. Jessie Thomson, IFRC’s head of delegation in Türkiye, shares what she’s learned about building trust, including some essential, concrete behaviours that build trust among partners, the public and work teams. When trust is present…

1
Speaking up for people in crisis: Unpacking ‘humanitarian diplomacy’ with IFRC’s Dylan Winder 25:48

10M ago25:48

25:48

Most people have some idea of what is meant by diplomacy. But what is ‘humanitarian diplomacy?’ Dylan Winder, permanent observer to the United Nations and director of global humanitarian diplomacy at the IFRC, says it’s about speaking up and finding solutions for people caught in crisis, who find themselves in vulnerable situations but don’t have a…

1
Working with children with missing family members 35:38

11M 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
Ambiguous Loss in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement 28:16

11M 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

11M 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 meaning of water: For Guillermo Sanchez, giving water is not just about saving lives. It’s about helping people reclaim their inherent dignity 28:30

12M ago28:30

28:30

“I was always told that water is life,” says Guillermo Sanchez, a water, sanitation and hygiene specialist for the Panamanian Red Cross who lives and works in the Darien Gap, a stretch of undeveloped jungle that connects South and Central America. “But I never really appreciated what that meant until I was able to see water really save the lives of…

1
Whether telling a story with photos or riding his bicycle across a continent, Brad Zerivitz says connecting with people is what it’s all about. 28:39

12M ago28:39

28:39

Behind the lens of a camera or the handlebars of a bicycle, Brad Zerivitz is driven by the desire to connect with his fellow humans. “I don't approach somebody with the camera in front of my face,” says Zerivitz, senior director of visual communications for the American Red Cross. “I approach them first as a Red Crosser and as a person.” By listeni…

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

12M 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
‘Climate-preneurship’: One young Ghanian’s response to the worsening impacts of climate change 23:39

1y ago23:39

23:39

Climate change is hurting everyone in Ghana, but it’s hitting young people particularly hard, says Abudi Razak, volunteer and national youth president for the Ghana Red Cross. Droughts in the north and floods down south mean that crop yields and incomes are low, while the cost of living is skyrocketing. Young people see their futures evaporating. R…

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

1y 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

1y 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
International law expert Vasilka Sancin says humanity must seize a critical chance to get ahead of advancing technology 26:52

1y ago26:52

26:52

With new technologies changing our lives in rapid and radical ways, Vasilka Sancin says this is a time of unprecedented opportunity. “This is an enormous opportunity for humankind to act preventatively, to address issues ahead of any potential disasters,” says Sancin, an international law expert who serves as Vice-President of the Slovenian Red Cro…

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

1y 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
A pioneer for women in humanitarian leadership talks about gender equity in the ‘peculiar profession’ of humanitarian relief work 37:16

1y ago37:16

37:16

“It’s a peculiar profession,” Margareta Wahlström says when asked about her life as a humanitarian aid worker. Wahlström has worked in crisis situations from Vietnam to Cambodia to Afghanistan, and she held high-level positions at both the United Nations and the Swedish Red Cross. Along with a stressful work culture that often rewards a certain wor…

1
New IFRC Youth Commission leader: Young volunteers want real influence, not ‘box-checking’ exercises 27:50

1y ago27:50

27:50

Young people do not fit into “cookie-cutter” stereotypes, says Michelle Chew, IFRC’s newly elected Youth Commission Chair. “Young people are very diverse and only by valuing and accepting all forms of young people can we engage communities properly.” While young people are gaining influence, she says efforts to engage with youth can seem like “box-…

1
Climate change, economic uncertaintly and the future of volunteering: IFRC youth leader takes on the hot issues impacting young people 30:12

1y ago30:12

30:12

When Bas van Rossum was elected to represent youth on the Governing Board of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), he was the youngest person to have ever served in that role. Now as he steps down as president of IFRC’s Youth Commission, he talks about the challenges ahead. “Young people are perhaps the closes…

1
‘The worst year for humanitarians’: IFRC Secretary General at UN General Assembly presses for urgent action to protect humanitarian workers 27:20

1y ago27:20

27:20

The vast majority of humanitarians killed in the last decade are not foreign aid workers, but local humanitarians who often face grave dangers simply trying to save lives in the communities where they live, says IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain in this special episode, recorded during the United Nations General Assembly in late September. “Mo…

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

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

1y 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…

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