Breaking Banks Inside Gaza: Arwa Damon on Crisis, Resilience, and Access
Dec 4, 2025
Arwa Damon, a former CNN reporter and founder of INARA, shares her profound insights from the conflict zones she's covered, particularly Gaza. She discusses the immense challenges in communicating the humanitarian crisis to global audiences. Arwa highlights the resilience of Gazans, showcasing their everyday courage and generosity amidst adversity. She also delves into the struggles of accessing financial services and the complexities of digital payments in a resource-strapped environment. Her mission with INARA focuses on providing essential medical support to children affected by war.
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Practical Ways To Protect Mental Health
- Use practical mental-health tools like EMDR and breathwork to cope with trauma exposure.
- Seek routines and supports that restore balance, such as therapy and mind-body practices.
Action Without Needing Hope
- Damon says hope isn't always the motivator; surviving in hopeless situations can mean 'treading water in the dark.'
- Letting go of needing hope reclaimed personal agency for her work.
Hospitality Amid Danger In Mosul
- Arwa recounts sheltering with civilians in Mosul where hosts cooked fried eggs despite chaos.
- Small acts of generosity in war deeply shaped her view of dignity and kindness.