It’s the stuff of science fiction: machines that make decisions about who and when to kill. Referred to as “autonomous weapons”, they’re already in use to some degree. But as more sophisticated systems are being developed we wanted to an expert in the field about whether such systems comply with international humanitarian law and what it means for humanity to give machines the power over human life and death.
In this episode, we talk with humanitarian communicator Kathy Mueller who produced our first magazine podcast series, The Wildfire Diaries, about massive wildfires in Northern Canada in 2017. We talk about that series, her many international missions, and the big changes in humanitarian communications since she began with the Canadian Red Cross almost 20 years ago.
In this episode, we talk about the power of storytelling to inform and inspire. “Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of human communication,” says our guest Prodip, a volunteer and multi-media storyteller for the Bangladesh Red Crescent. “It inspires us to be a hero of our own community.” We also speak with one such community hero, Dalal al-Taji, a longtime volunteer and advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities in emergencies response. “In disasters. persons with disabilities sometimes get forgotten.”
Digital information technology holds tremendous potential for easing human suffering. But it also poses many risks. In countries impacted by conflict, for example, those risks can be a matter of life and death. Humanitarian ‘tech-plomat’ Philippe Stoll decodes plusses and minuses of the humanitarian tech revolution.
Volunteers inside some Mexican prisons not only save lives, they leave a ripple effect of compassion for others.
We explore the many challenges that have faced volunteers in Ukraine, and we talk with an artist and volunteer from Syria about the connection between art and humanity.
The Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic provides quality healthcare to the transgender community and other people marginalized by mainstream health institutions
Meet Hassan Al Kontar, the renowned “man in the airport,” who was stuck in an airport while seeking asylum. Also with Houda Al-Fadil, a Syrian refugee striving to rebuild her cooking business after surviving a devastating earthquake in Türkiye.
In Argentina, mobile humanitarian service points not only bring critical services such as first aid, water, food and warm clothes. They bring a feeling of safety and trust, which are critical for helping people on the move.
For this volunteer in Honduras, giving freely of her time and passion offers a chance to teach and learn.
In Honduran communities at high risk of disasters, a Red Cross project helps families strengthen resilience and increase income through enterprises such as coffee production.
Honduran Red Cross volunteers receive specialized support to cope with the emotional stress of responding to large-scale emergencies.
The ever-present pull of migration has left communities in and around Quetzaltenango, Guatemala almost empty as adults, children and teenagers embark on a risky journey towards a better future.
In Trojes, one of the main crossing points along the migration route in Honduras, Red Cross volunteers offer a safe space where they provide critical services.
Given the high number of accidents on the northern CA-9 highway, the presence of the Guatemalan Red Cross has been a relief for the community of Santo Tomás de Castilla.
Through small, sustainable enterprises, the Honduran Red Cross helps families in the department of Santa Barbara to reduce risks of disasters and adapt to climate change.
Urban communities are at risk as the climate crisis intensifies its impacts on cities. As part of our ‘Do you have a minute?’ series, we shared a coffee and a chat with Julie Arrighi from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. We wanted to talk about the particular impacts of climate change in urban settings.
Nearly a year after the arrival of Hurricane Celia in Chiquimula, Guatemala, residents of the affected communities acknowledge the help of Guatemalan Red Cross volunteers who respond to rising floods within hours.
A Honduran Red Cross project in Marcala is creating a source of sustainable income that supports small, local coffee producers.
Community Innovators with the Uganda Red Cross hope to make a big difference in young peoples’ lives with small, green enterprises
Migrants often have a lot to be afraid of as they struggle to get by in new surroundings: Arrest. Deportation. Violence. Theft. But building and maintaining trust is possible, say experts. They share their advice in this short, selfie-style video.
From Ebola to disasters, the Ugandan Red Cross is used to responding to a wide range of crises. In western Uganda, for example, the Red Cross has been helping a growing number of people displaced by catastrophic yearly mudslides and floods.
A volunteer at the Maldivian Red Crescent highlights the importance of trust and language for migrants during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The constant threat of flooding and river erosion in Rangpur pushes families to their limits, even as they recover from previous disasters.
Some students choose sports, others prefer theatre. But this group of teens preferred to train in first aid to help anyone who might need it at school
The leadership of Deepali and Sardar Jashim helped many families protect themselves against Covid-19.
Volunteers take the initiative to help their community learn and prepare for cyclones.
For volunteers like Sami Rahikainen, building trust with migrants who are coming to a new place in the search of a brand new life is crucial. This is his story.
That is a question many migrants must ask themselves every day as they navigate life on the move, or in new surroundings. A study from the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement sheds light on how to ensure migrants, including refugees, can trust those who are trying to help.
An audio journey to the edge of humanity — the ‘lawless’ space of international waters between Europe and Africa.
The risk of flooding in Rangpur, Bangladesh represents a big challenge for people’s lives in small-scale fishing communities. Even after the destruction from the monsoon season of 2019, people are still striving to rebuild their livelihoods from scratch.
How Shimul Datta was able to set up a successful business in Kishoreganj’s local market despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic left Rupali scraping for sources of income to provide for her family, but she managed to transform a small cash grant into a flourishing family business.
How women’s empowerment, cash programs, and resilience training are helping families in the coastal region of Bangladesh to prepare and rebuild their lives in the face of recurrent storms and floods.
Red Cross Red Crescent magazine 
