Political Thinking with Nick Robinson Gaza, Trump and me: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher
Oct 24, 2025
In this conversation, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian chief, shares gripping insights into the devastation in Gaza, likening it to the ruins of Hiroshima. He reflects on the emotional toll of humanitarian work and the importance of seeing aid trucks reach families in need. Fletcher discusses his experiences advising UK prime ministers and emphasizes the hands-on nature of diplomacy. He addresses challenges in reforming the UN and managing complex international relations while maintaining a commitment to the urgent humanitarian response.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Driving Through Total Destruction
- Driving into Gaza felt like driving through the ruins of Hiroshima, Stalingrad or Dresden.
- Tom Fletcher described the sensory shock: the sound, the smell and cleared roads once covered in corpses.
Aid Trucks Felt Like Scoring A Goal
- Fletcher celebrated seeing aid trucks move into Gaza and described it as scoring a goal.
- He watched supplies arrive and emphasised what basic items like nappies and tents mean to families.
Humanitarian Work Is Brutal Prioritisation
- Fletcher must prioritise among hundreds of millions needing help and already cut programmes due to funding shortfalls.
- He highlighted choosing 114 million lives to prioritise next year amid deep budget constraints.
