Muhannad Hadi knew from a young age that humanitarian work was his calling. Today, he serves as the UN Deputy Special Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory and is dedicated to alleviating the unimaginable suffering in Gaza.
“They told me about their suffering, around the clock. They told me what they go through from morning until they go to sleep, because of the exhaustion. And I promised that I would tell the story,” says Mr Hadi.
According to UN estimates, up to 1.9 million people – 90 percent of the population – have been displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Many of them have already had to flee several times.
In the final episode of Season 9 of “Awake at Night,” Hadi reflects on the horrific conditions in Gaza, the importance of having a supportive family, and how his time volunteering in Jordan led to a lifelong humanitarian career.
“In every war, the first victim is the truth. The second is women and children… that’s why it’s called a man-made crisis. And I always say that for a man-made crisis, you need a solution created by women. And these women need to be given a voice,” he says.
Listen to this episode by tuning in to your favorite podcast platform or visiting the Awake at Night website.
About Awake at Night:
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the Awake at Night podcast is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff who dedicate their careers to helping people in the parts of the world where life is toughest – from war zones and refugee camps to areas ravaged by disasters and the devastating effects of climate change.
