Talk to Al Jazeera Jagan Chapagain: Is the global humanitarian system breaking down?
Jan 18, 2026
Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, discusses the crisis facing the global humanitarian system as wars escalate and funding dwindles. He unveils how U.S. and European aid cuts are impacting life-saving operations in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. Chapagain also highlights the dangerous erosion of protections for aid workers and raises alarms about the consequences of cutting vital rescue missions. His insights provoke crucial conversations about the future of humanitarian efforts amidst growing needs.
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How The Movement Is Structured
- The Red Cross/Red Crescent movement is a three-component family with distinct roles and a shared mandate.
- National societies operate domestically but coordinate globally through the IFRC and ICRC for humanitarian action.
Prioritize Integrity And Prevention
- Invest heavily in prevention and integrity systems to minimize fraud, corruption and abuse.
- When incidents occur, investigate thoroughly and take decisive action under a zero-tolerance policy.
Syrian Red Crescent's High-Risk Role
- The Syrian Arab Red Crescent delivered around 80% of humanitarian aid in parts of Syria when others could not.
- The organisation lost 72 staff and volunteers yet kept operating while many internationals would have left.