With the exception of severe natural disasters in their early stages - especially when they hit developed countries or emerging economies - most humanitarian crises that impact tens of millions of people worldwide are underreported and many forgotten. Complex emergencies or humanitarian crises caused mainly by war, conflict, persecution and the climate crisis rarely make the headlines, in particular when these crises occur in African or Asian countries.
Lack of interest, too much spatial or emotional distance, absence of prominent voices highlighting the existence of these crises may be among key explanations for this phenomenon. Less honorable reasons could include plain ignorance, arrogance or racism. One of the simpler and less controversial explanations is that there are few international journalists and news agencies on the ground.
Even for newsrooms, editors and producers who recognize this disconnect and would be willing to cover humanitarian emergencies related to war, conflict, gross human rights violations and climate change more regularly, it's sometimes tough to find timely information about the current state of a crisis. Fortunately, there are some workarounds and second-best solutions to this problem.
DONARE has compiled information on dozens of reputable news sources and potential interview partners and sources of commentary that journalists can use as a starting point. For background research on humanitarian issues, humanitarian needs and donor contributions, please visit the "Websites for Experts and Professionals" page. If you need introductory information, check out "Key Players in Humanitarian Aid" or the DONARE Glossary.
News Sources
Please note: The following overview relies heavily on United Nations-related news sources, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, with some government sources included. But it's the best alternative if you can't count on your own network of correspondents and there are no news agencies on the ground. However, it is still important to maintain editorial distance and critical coverage.
Key UN Sources
Daily Noon Briefings at the UN in New York (Mon-Fri)
The Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General is one major source for updates on the humanitarian situation in new and protracted crises. The Spokesperson is regularly briefed by its humamanitarian colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on current events and import developments.
Transcripts
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight
https://press.un.org/en/content/noon-briefings
Noon Briefing on UN Web TV
You can watch live Monday to Friday at UN WebTV (6 pm Central Europe Time – Berlin, 12 pm Eastern Time - New York). Recorded versions of the briefings are also available for viewing.
https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule
https://webtv.un.org/en/search?query=Daily%20Press%20Briefing
See also:
Statements and Messages by the UN Secretary-General
https://press.un.org/en/statements-and-messages
https://www.un.org/sg/en/latest/sg/statement
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounters
Biweekly Briefing at the UN in Geneva (Tuesday, Friday)
The biweekly briefing of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva is attended by spokespersons and representatives of UN agencies. It often covers issues related to humanitarian affairs and crises around the world. Major reports from UN agencies are announced here.
Transcripts
https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/briefings-list
Biweekly Press Briefing on UN TV
You can watch the biweekly press briefing of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva live on UN Web TV (10.30 am Central Europe Time – Berlin, 04.30 Eastern Time - New York). Recorded versions of the briefings are also available for viewing.
https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule
https://webtv.un.org/en/search?query=Geneva%20Press%20Briefing
ReliefWeb
ReliefWeb is the leading source of humanitarian information on global crises and disasters. The website is an information service of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). ReliefWeb's editorial team monitors and gathers information from more than 4,000 sources, including humanitarian organizations at the international, national and local levels, governments, think tanks and research institutions. The editorial team highlights some of the major stories in the "Headlines" category.
UN News
The UN News Service reports on many stories related to current humanitarian issues, as well as war and conflict from a UN perspective. The team also covers major stories from UN agencies and entities. Here you can get leads or discover some developments you might otherwise have missed.
UN Secretariat and Agencies
When it comes to humanitarian issues, the UN Secretariat and the largest UN agencies are important sources of news. Interviews or background briefings can be arranged with spokespersons, experts and senior officials.
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
The Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General provides information to the media on the activities of the UN system, including through daily briefings, direct responses to media inquiries, press conferences, background briefings and interviews with the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and other senior officials.
Spokespeople
https://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson/about.shtml
OCHA
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), part of the UN Secretariat, is the leading player in global humanitarian affairs.
Media Center
For press inquiries and interview requests, please contact the OCHA spokespersons/media team at OCHA headquarters in New York or Geneva.
https://www.unocha.org/media-centre
News & Updates
https://www.unocha.org/media-centre/news-updates
Press Releases
https://www.unocha.org/media-centre/press-releases
Speeches and Statements by the Emergency Relief Coordinator
https://www.unocha.org/media-centre/statements-ercusg
Reliefweb Updates from OCHA (including Situation Reports!)
https://reliefweb.int/updates?advanced-search=%28S1503%29
UNHCR
News Releases
https://www.unhcr.org/news-releases.html
Media Center
https://www.unhcr.org/media-centre.html
International media contacts
For press inquiries and interview requests, please contact the spokespersons at UNHCR’s headquarters in Geneva
https://www.unhcr.org/news-and-stories/media-centre/international-media-contacts
UNICEF
Press Releases
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press Centre
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-centre
Media Contacts
For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact the spokespersons at UNICEF Global Headquarters in New York or at UNICEF Headquarters in Geneva.
https://www.unicef.org/media/contact-us
World Food Programme (WFP)
Press Releases
Spokespersons
You can reach the Global Media Team at wfp.media@wfp.org to request and schedule media interviews with WFP officials and spokespeople.
https://www.wfp.org/media-contacts
UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR)
While OHCHR's main focus is on human rights issues, here you may find some newsworthy developments that also relate to humanitarian crises as well as war and conflict more broadly.
Latest News, Briefing Notes, Statements, and Reports
https://www.ohchr.org/en/latest
Spokespersons
Spokespersons from the UN Human Rights Office are available at OHCHR headquarters in Geneva to answer media inquiries and provide interviews. Send your requests via email at OHCHR-media@un.org. You can also contact them regarding the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and HRC-mandated investigations.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/media-centre
World Health Organization (WHO)
News Releases
Media Contacts
WHO spokespersons are available for media inquiries and interviews at WHO headquarters in Geneva. Please send your requests by e-mail to mediainquiries@who.int.
https://www.who.int/news-room/media-contacts
IOM
Press Releases
https://www.iom.int/iom-media-centre
Media Contacts
For press inquiries and to schedule interviews, please contact the Department of Media and Communications (MCD) at media@iom.int.
https://www.iom.int/media-contacts
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
News & Press Releases
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Media Contacts
For press inquiries and to arrange interviews, please contact press@icrc.org.
https://www.icrc.org/en/contact/media
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Press Releases
https://www.ifrc.org/press-releases/all
Media Hub
The IFRC media team is available around the clock to provide the latest information on disasters and emergencies. For press inquiries, please contact media@ifrc.org. The media team can also provide experts and commentary on the world's most pressing humanitarian issues.
https://www.ifrc.org/happening-now/media-hub
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Latest News
https://www.nrc.no/latest-news/
Media Center
https://www.nrc.no/media-centre/
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Latest News
https://www.msf.org/latest-portal
Media Contacts
For press inquiries, you have to get in contact with one of the MSF offices, as there is no global media team.
https://www.msf.org/contact-us
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Media Center / Press Releases
https://www.rescue.org/media-center
Media Contacts
You can reach the IRC global communications team in New York at communications@rescue.org to request and schedule media interviews.
CARE International
Press Releases
https://www.care-international.org/news
Media Contacts
You can reach the global media team at globalmedia@careinternational.org to request and schedule media interviews or for any other press inquiries. Alternatively, you can contact usa.media@care.org.
https://www.care.org/media-and-press/press-resources/
Save the Children International
Press Releases, Statements
https://www.savethechildren.net/news
Media Contacts
You can reach the global media unit at gmu@savethechildren.org 24/7 to respond to breaking news related to the protection of children in humanitarian emergencies or for any other press inquiries. You can also request and arrange media interviews.
https://www.savethechildren.net/news-stories/global-spokespeople
Governments, supranational and international organizations
EU Foreign Affairs: The Diplomatic Service of the European Union
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/_en
Press Releases
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/press-material_en
Press Team
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas-press-team_en
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
Press Releases
https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news_en
African Union (AU)
Press Releases
https://au.int/en/happening/news
US State Department
News Room
https://www.state.gov/newsroom/
Press Releases
https://www.state.gov/press-releases/
Press Briefings Transcripts
https://www.state.gov/department-press-briefings/
Media Inquiry Submission
Journalists can submit their requests for comment or interviews regarding US foreign poliy at the this portal to the Office of Press Operations.
https://iipstate.my.site.com/DOSMediaInquiries/s/
USAID
(The website is down due to the attempts of the new US administration to dismantle USAID.)
Press Releases
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases
Press Relations
You may contact the USAID press relations office at press@usaid.gov.
United Kingdom: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
News and communications
Media Team
You can contact the FCDO communication team via email at newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk (monitored 24/7).
Germany: Federal Foreign Office
News Room
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news
Press Relations
Journalists can send their requests for information, comments or interviews on German foreign policy and humanitarian assistance to the Press Division at presse@diplo.de.
Interview Partners
For those new to the field, here are some suggestions for potential interview partners and sources of commentary, some more prominent, others less so, but still competent and well-informed (Last updated: June 2025).
More prominent
- Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), Head of OCHA
- Jan Egeland, NRC Secretary General
- Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugee
- Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA
- Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director
- Edward "Ted" Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director
- David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director
- Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director and CEO
- Stephen Omollo, WFP Assistant Executive Director
- Joyce Msuya, Assistant UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator
- Lisa Doughten, OCHA Director, Division of Financing and Partnerships
- Edem Wosornu, OCHA Director, Operations and Advocacy Division
- Christos Christou, Médecins Sans Frontières, International President,
- Christopher Lockyear, Médecins Sans Frontières, Secretary-General
- Amy Pope, IOM Director General
- Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General
- Mirjana Spoljaric, ICRC President
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
- Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Crisis Management
- Reintje van Haeringen, CARE International, Secretariat Leader
- Janti Soeripto, President & CEO of Save the Children US
- Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International
- Charlotte Slente, Secretary General, Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
- Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Corps
- Amitabh Behar, Executive Director, Oxfam International
- Manuel Patrouillard, Managing Director, Humanity & Inclusion
- Reena Ghelani, Plan International, Chief Executive Officer
- Rob Williams, War Child Alliance, Chief Executive Officer
- Sean Carroll, American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), President & CEO
- Samantha Power, fomer USAID Administrator (until January 2025)
- Tom Perriello, former US Special Envoy for Sudan (until January 2025)
- Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria
- Catriona Laing, UN Special Envoy for Somalia
- Hans Grundberg, UN Special Envoy for Yemen
- MarÃa Isabel Salvador, UN Special Envoy for Haiti
- Ramtane Lamamra, UN Special Envoy for Sudan
- Bintou Keita, UN Special Envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO)
- Nicholas Haysom, UN Envoy for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
- James Swan, UN Special Envoy for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS)
- Alice Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
- Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
- Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
- Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Western & Central Mediterranean
- Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel
- Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Executive Director
- Michael Dunford, WFP Country Director for Myanmar
Spokespersons
- Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
- Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
- Eri Kaneko, OCHA spokesperson
- Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson
- Vanessa Huguenin, OCHA spokesperson
- Amanda Price, OCHA spokesperson
- Joe English, UNICEF spokesperson
- James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson
- Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson
- Olga Sarrado, UNHCR spokesperson
- William Spindler, UNHCR spokesperson
- Eujin Byun, UNHCR spokesperson
- Jeremy Laurence, OHCHR spokesperson
- Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR spokesperson
- Liz Throssell, OHCHR spokesperson
- Seif Magango, OHCHR spokesperson
- Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson
- Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesperson
Humanitarian Coordinators
- Bruno Lemarquis, Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Julien Harneis, Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen
- Ramiz Alakbarov, Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia
- Adam Abdelmoula, Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria
- Matthias Schmale, Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine
- Kristine Hambrouck, Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in Sudan
- George Conway, Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia
- Mohamed Ayoya, Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic
- Ingeborg Richardson, Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti
- Imran Riza, Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon
- François Batalingaya, Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad
- Marcoluigi Corsi, Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in Myanmar
- Anita Kiki Gbeho Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan
- Indrika Ratwatte, Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan
- Other Humanitarian Coordinators.
As they change frequently, please contact OCHA's media relations team.