Colum Lynch

Colum Lynch

Colum Lynch is an award-winning reporter and Senior Global Reporter for Devex. He covers the intersection of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief at the United Nations and beyond. Prior to Devex, Colum reported on foreign policy and national security for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post. Colum was awarded the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital reporting for his blog Turtle Bay. He has also won an award for groundbreaking reporting on the U.N.’s failure to protect civilians in Darfur.

Latest Articles

Former Chilean leader Michelle Bachelet enters race to lead UN

Former Chilean leader Michelle Bachelet enters race to lead UN

6 days ago // United Nations

During Trump's first term, the U.S. and Israel sought unsuccessfully to derail her campaign for U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

US funding pledge insufficient to avert UN financial woes

US funding pledge insufficient to avert UN financial woes

9 days ago // United Nations

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warns U.N. risks "imminent financial collapse."

Making sense of the US withdrawal from 66 international organizations

Making sense of the US withdrawal from 66 international organizations

23 days ago // The Trump Effect

White House's "shock and awe" policy pronouncements on U.S retreat from multilateral organizations contrasts with U.S. embrace of U.N. humanitarian role.

Exclusive: Inside US-UN plan to remake funding for humanitarian crises

Exclusive: Inside US-UN plan to remake funding for humanitarian crises

26 days ago // United Nations

A confidential memorandum of understanding signals a shift in balance of power among U.N. relief agencies.

Trump withdraws, defunds dozens of international orgs and treaties

Trump withdraws, defunds dozens of international orgs and treaties

about 1 month ago // The Trump Effect

President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. to leave 66 international entities, including 31 at the U.N., cutting funding deemed contrary to U.S. interests — a move that alarmed allies and deepened Washington’s retreat from multilateralism.

Exclusive: Inside the UN's budget showdown

Exclusive: Inside the UN's budget showdown

about 2 months ago // United Nations

Messy line-item negotiations have put everything on the table, from “Meatless Mondays” to funding for Palestinian refugees.

Exclusive: Former Iraqi president picked to lead UN Refugee Agency

Exclusive: Former Iraqi president picked to lead UN Refugee Agency

about 2 months ago // United Nations

Barham Salih's appointment breaks the tradition of European leadership of the world's premier refugee outfit.

Exclusive: US and EU aim to kill UN college education subsidy

Exclusive: US and EU aim to kill UN college education subsidy

2 months ago // United Nations

The Trump administration claims U.N. austerity measures need to cut deeper.

Joanne Liu: Canadian former MSF leader makes bid for top UN refugee job

Joanne Liu: Canadian former MSF leader makes bid for top UN refugee job

2 months ago // United Nations

A Canadian physician with decades of experience in conflict zones pursues the U.N. high commissioner for refugees post.

Exclusive: US-backed Haiti anti-gang force in search of lead battalion

Exclusive: US-backed Haiti anti-gang force in search of lead battalion

2 months ago // Haiti

U.N. veteran Jack Christofides has been chosen as special representative for the Haiti gang suppression mission.