Q&A: IFRC's Jagan Chapagain on the fragmenting humanitarian space

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Humanitarian principles are under threat, according to the new secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

“Complexities due to the scale of humanitarian need, the security environment, the increased threat to humanitarian workers — the Red Cross has lost more than 100 volunteers in last couple of years in the line of duty — the humanitarian space, [and] the capacity makes humanitarian action [today] very complex for an organization like ours,” said Jagan Chapagain, who picked up the secretary-general role from Elhadj As Sy in February.

Chapagain, a Nepali national who joined the Red Cross as a youth volunteer 25 years ago and has since held several positions within IFRC, said there is reason to be worried about the future of humanitarian work.

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