"A life in emergencies - Leading with Care" - Interview with Nigel Fisher: For Every Child Podcast Series

 

If you took a history book and listed all the world’s conflicts from the past 40 years, you would find that former EMOPS Director and Deputy SRSG, Nigel Fisher, has worked in most of them, leading our and the UN’s overall humanitarian responses with great Care.

Nigel shares his inspiring path and some of his memories working in emergencies like Rwanda, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Mozambique, among others.

“People who are subject to disaster, emergency and conflict are not passive recipients of aid, one has to work with them as people who deserve the dignity of choice,” he says.

In discussing the harrowing realities of conflict, he highlights the vital importance of humanity, Respect and Care not only in how we treat those we serve but those we serve with.

"The issue is to tell people that it’s ok to take a break, you’re going to work better, you’re going to feel better because of it, they are helped if the leader sets some parameters,” says Nigel. “Also, expressing appreciation, expressing thanks…if you hear something positive from a counterpart you share it.”

Listen to the full podcast here, including some emotional reflections on his days working in Rwanda amid the horror of genocide. And make sure to check out Nigel’s articles: We have no enemies who are 
children - The first Gulf War 1990-91 and We did what needed to be done.

You can also click here to listen to the podcast. You can listen to all the recent podcasts in this series by clicking here.