[{"content":"","date":null,"permalink":"/blog/","section":"Blog","summary":"","title":"Blog"},{"content":"","date":null,"permalink":"/","section":"Christopher Lockyear","summary":"","title":"Christopher Lockyear"},{"content":"This site is a place for me to write and think outside of official MSF communications.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve spent twenty years working in humanitarian crises — first as a field worker, now as an institutional leader — and there are things I want to say that don\u0026rsquo;t fit neatly into a press release or a Security Council briefing.\nThis is where I\u0026rsquo;ll put them.\nI plan to write about the state of humanitarian action, international law, the politics of aid, and occasionally the experience of doing this kind of work. Some posts will be long. Some will be short. All of them will be my own views.\nPosts will appear here when I have something worth saying.\n","date":null,"permalink":"/blog/welcome/","section":"Blog","summary":"A first post — why I\u0026rsquo;m writing here and what this space is for.","title":"Welcome"},{"content":"Christopher Lockyear #I am a humanitarian, commentator, and qualified mediator with over two decades of experience in conflict environments, negotiation, humanitarian diplomacy, and senior institutional leadership.\nCurrently, I am Executive-in-Residence at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. I\u0026rsquo;m working on questions that sit at the intersection of political mediation, humanitarian access and protection of civilians — how they reinforce each other, where they conflict, and what practitioners actually need to navigate both. I am also writing about the complexity of humanitarian action in a way that I hope is accessible, and - paradoxically - not too complex!\nI have spent most of my career working in humanitarian aid, the last seven and a half years of which as Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF / Doctors Without Borders) — a role I held from 2018 until April 2026. It was a period of extraordinary pressure on the humanitarian system: ongoing crises in Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, a global pandemic, and a sustained political assault on the institutions and norms that had, imperfectly but meaningfully, tried to protect civilians in conflict.\nAs Secretary General, I helped to coordinate an organisation of nearly 70,000 people working across more than 70 countries. The role was part institutional leadership, part political negotiation, part public advocacy — and, when things went badly: accountability. With the support and drive of exceptional teams around the world, I engaged governments in negotiations over humanitarian access and their responsibility for the safety of humanitarian workers, as well as their own populations. I briefed the UN Security Council on humanitarian catastrophes in Gaza and Sudan. I also led a large and complex organisation through a period of genuine transformation: in governance, in strategy, in how we thought about equity and representation.\nMy motivation is a conviction that the life of someone caught in a crisis in Khartoum, Sudan or Khan Younis, Palestine, carries the same moral weight as the life of your school friend or your next-door neighbour.\nThe broader context cannot be ignored. I am preoccupied with how conflict has expanded into domains that existing legal and political frameworks simply weren\u0026rsquo;t designed to govern — AI-accelerated kill chains, cyber operations, contested maritime space: the grey zones of sub-threshold coercion. These aren\u0026rsquo;t future threats; they\u0026rsquo;re current realities, already reshaping how wars are fought and how civilians are harmed. At the same time, I\u0026rsquo;m wary of the assumption that novelty requires entirely new tools. Relationship-based diplomacy, back-channel negotiation, patient trust-building — the classical instruments of conflict resolution — remain as relevant as ever. The challenge is learning to apply them in domains that move faster, are harder to attribute, and resist the kind of public accountability that traditional conflict at least occasionally permits — and to know when new tools genuinely help, and when they don\u0026rsquo;t.\nAfter studying engineering at the University of Cambridge, I spent several years in the oil and gas industry — an experience that sharpened my interest in energy geopolitics and gave me, across the North Sea, the Gulf Coast and offshore Mumbai, an early grounding in cross-cultural negotiation and operational decision-making under pressure.\nI have a passion for applying philosophy and understanding the ideas and concepts of others, so many years after thinking I had finally finished study I returned to complete a Masters in Philosophy at the University of Exeter, UK. The combination of engineering and philosophy may seem like polar opposites, but to me, it makes a lot of sense.\nI\u0026rsquo;m also a Yale World Fellow, a qualified and certified mediator, and — somewhat to my own surprise — the holder of an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Exeter.\nI teach a module on ETH Zurich / Swisspeace / FDFA Peace Mediation Course, and regularly guest lecture on MBA, MPP and International Relations courses on topics such as humanitarian access and peace mediation, humanitarian response, complex emergencies and organisation development.\nOver the years I have written, spoken, and engaged with the media on humanitarian crises, diplomacy, and the politics of conflict — in op-eds, academic forums, UN briefings, and broadcast interviews. A selection of that work is collected in the Impact section of this site.\n","date":null,"permalink":"/about/","section":"Christopher Lockyear","summary":"","title":"About"},{"content":"","date":null,"permalink":"/categories/","section":"Categories","summary":"","title":"Categories"},{"content":"For enquiries, requests, or general correspondence, please use the form below.\nName Email Subject Message Send message\n","date":null,"permalink":"/contact/","section":"Christopher Lockyear","summary":"","title":"Contact"},{"content":" Broadcast \u0026 Video Radio Podcasts Quoted \u0026 Featured Broadcast \u0026amp; Video # \"It will take 'generations' to get over the psychological trauma of the Ukraine war\"\nCNN / Amanpour · 11 November 2025\nSpeaking from Dnipro on deepening humanitarian consequences ahead of winter as Russian attacks hit energy infrastructure impacting hospitals and ambulance services.\n\"We see an orchestrated disaster in Gaza\"\nCNN / Amanpour · 4 July 2025\nDescribed the humanitarian situation in Gaza as \"an orchestrated disaster,\" condemning the systematic blockade of aid.\n\"Doctors Without Borders: Treating millions while global aid falls apart\"\nAl Jazeera / Talk to Al Jazeera · 31 March 2025\nOn MSF's work in Sudan and Gaza, the impact of global aid funding cuts, and internal reform.\n\"Trauma patients or starving kids: MSF says Gaza doctors face harrowing choice\"\nCNN / Amanpour · 25 March 2024\nFollowing his visit to Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza, describing bodies spilling from the morgue and impossible clinical decisions as conditions verged on famine.\n\"Consider This: Humanitarian Crises — Criminalising Humanitarian Aid in Gaza \u0026 Beyond\"\nAstro AWANI / Consider This · 4 November 2024\nOn the widening gaps in humanitarian response across Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar, and how political agendas repeatedly block or undermine humanitarian assistance.\n\"Aid workers getting killed sign of decreasing respect for international law\"\nCNA / Asia Now · 30 October 2024\nOn the safety of MSF teams in Sudan and Gaza, and what this reflects about the global erosion of respect for international humanitarian law.\nRadio # \"Malaysia urged to lead ASEAN in scaling up Rohingya aid\"\nBernama Radio, Malaysia · 2 November 2024\nOn his Kuala Lumpur press call urging Malaysia to increase aid and legal protection for the Rohingya.\n\"Humanitarian groups scramble to provide aid in Gaza as famine is 'imminent'\"\nNPR / All Things Considered · 20 March 2024\nFollowing his visit to Al-Aqsa Hospital, describing severe overcrowding and imminent famine risk in Gaza.\n\"MSF: Traumatized Gazan Children Tell Aid Workers They'd Prefer to Die\"\nDemocracy Now · 23 February 2024\nDemocracy Now reported on Lockyear's UN Security Council address, highlighting his condemnation of US vetoes of ceasefire resolutions and his account of children as young as five telling MSF workers they would prefer to die.\nPodcasts # \"The Humanitarians: Nicola Sturgeon in Conversation with Post Code Lottery CEO, Sigrid Van Aken, and Médecins Sans Frontières Supremo, Chris Lockyear\"\nBeyond Borders Scotland · April 2026\nIn conversation with former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the humanitarian crises in Sudan and Gaza, the impact of aid funding cuts, and what independent humanitarian action can still achieve.\n\"The Reality of Delivering Medical Care in the World's Most Dangerous Places\"\nDo One Better! / Lidji · March 2026\nExtended interview offering a behind-the-scenes view of MSF's global operations in conflict and disaster settings.\n\"Inside Geneva special: a bonfire of international law\"\nSWI swissinfo.ch / Inside Geneva · January 2026\nOn the sweeping ban on aid agencies in Gaza: \"There is no question in my mind that IHL is being wilfully disregarded.\"\n\"Summer profiles: challenges in humanitarian aid\"\nSWI swissinfo.ch / Inside Geneva · July 2024\nProfile interview covering his background as an engineer, his first MSF posting in Darfur in 2005, and the evolving nature of humanitarian crises.\n\"Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières\"\nIIHA Podcast · July 2024\nWith Jamie McGoldrick on MSF's work, his field career across Sudan, Somalia, and Pakistan, and the pressures facing independent humanitarian action.\nQuoted \u0026amp; Featured in Reporting # \"MSF chief warns Israeli ban on Gaza operations will be 'catastrophic' for millions\"\nArab News · February 2026\nWarns that Israel's move to terminate MSF's operating licences in Gaza and the West Bank would be catastrophic.\n\"Humanitarian aid is not a crime, but a right\"\nTa Nea, Greece · 16 January 2026\nCritiques the criminalisation and obstruction of aid, affirming the obligation of states to enable humanitarian access in conflict settings.\n\"The world may be giving up on solving conflicts, warns Doctors Without Borders boss\"\nThe Big Issue · 5 January 2026\nWide-ranging interview on funding cuts, the accountability deficit in Gaza and Sudan, and where hope can still be found.\n\"Det at yde hjælp til mennesker er blevet politiseret\"\nInformation, Denmark · 15 September 2025\nDanish daily interview arguing that humanitarian aid has been weaponised.\n\"Læger uden Grænser til statsministeren\"\nRitzau, Denmark · 5 September 2025\nPress release following a meeting with the Danish prime minister, urging Denmark to use its EU Council Presidency to increase political pressure on Israel.\n\"Leger uten grensers internasjonale sjef går hardt ut mot USA og Israel\"\nVG, Norway · 3 June 2025\nStrongly criticises the US-Israeli aid distribution model in Gaza, arguing it worsens rather than alleviates the humanitarian crisis.\n\"Sudan: inside the world's worst humanitarian crisis\"\nEl País · 2 January 2025\nDiscusses the scale and severity of the Sudan crisis, emphasising systemic under-response and access constraints.\n\"The perilous reality of aid work in Gaza\"\nThe New Yorker · 4 November 2024\nReferenced in this major investigation into the risks and constraints facing humanitarian workers operating in Gaza.\n\"Malaysia as 2025 ASEAN Chair urged to lead in scaling up aid to Myanmar Rohingya refugees\"\nThe Star, Malaysia · 2 November 2024\nCalls on Malaysia to use its ASEAN chairmanship to increase humanitarian access and legal protection for Rohingya fleeing Rakhine State.\n\"MSF's Christopher Lockyear: 'It's shocking to think that Gaza could be forgotten'\"\nGeneva Solutions · October 2024\nWarning that as international attention shifted to Lebanon, Gaza's catastrophic needs risked being neglected.\n\"Gaza, Rafah, aid and hospitals\"\nThe New York Times · 29 May 2024\nHighlights the collapse of hospital systems and the strain on humanitarian response in Rafah.\n\"Israel's threat to invade Rafah regains strength after Iran's attack\"\nEl País · 17 April 2024\nQuoted on the humanitarian risks of military escalation in Rafah.\n\"Despite Israel's commitment to Biden, the Erez crossing into Gaza remains closed to aid\"\nEl País · 9 April 2024\nHighlights restrictions on aid entry into Gaza and the gap between political commitments and operational reality.\n\"World Central Kitchen strike and international law\"\nThe New York Times · 8 April 2024\nContextualises the dangers faced by aid workers following high-profile attacks on aid convoys.\n\"Aid is slow to enter the Gaza Strip despite top UN court ruling demanding unhindered access\"\nSeattle Times · 2024\nCovers delays and restrictions in aid delivery following ICJ rulings.\nStatement in support of UNRWA\nUNRWA · 2024\nStatement defending UNRWA against Israeli Knesset bills, warning that designating it a terrorist organisation would criminalise humanitarian assistance.\nLast updated: April 2026\n","date":null,"permalink":"/media/","section":"Christopher Lockyear","summary":"","title":"Media"},{"content":" Briefings Keynotes \u0026 Speeches Press Conferences Briefings # Briefing to the UN Security Council on Sudan\nUN Security Council, New York · 13 March 2025\nBriefed the Council on two years of unrelenting violence in Sudan, and proposed a new compact to protect civilians, guarantee humanitarian access, and enforce accountability.\nSecurity Council Media Stakeout — Sudan \u0026 South Sudan\nUN Web TV · 13 March 2025\nPress remarks following the Sudan Security Council session, summarising MSF's key suggestions and field observations.\nBriefing to the UN Security Council on Gaza\nUN Security Council, New York · 22 February 2024\nAddressed the Council demanding an immediate and sustained ceasefire and the unequivocal protection of medical facilities, accusing the Council of \"political complicity\" through its repeated inaction.\nSecurity Council Media Stakeout — Palestine\nUN Web TV · 22 February 2024\nPress remarks following Security Council discussions on Gaza.\nKeynotes \u0026amp; Speeches # Honorary Doctorate Commencement Address\nUniversity of Exeter · 15 July 2025\nAcceptance address on receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) from the University of Exeter, where he also completed his MA in Philosophy and Ethics.\nKeynote Address — RSIS-RHCC 3rd Humanitarian Futures Forum\nConrad Centennial Singapore · 29 October 2024\nDelivered the opening keynote at Singapore's leading humanitarian policy forum, arguing that the erosion of international humanitarian law, shrinking humanitarian space, and the climate-health crisis are the defining challenges of the coming decade.\n\"Le guerre di oggi e il dramma dei civili\"\nFestival dell'Economia, Trento · 23 May 2024 Public discussion on the human cost of contemporary wars, drawing on first-hand observations from Gaza and highlighting the systematic targeting of healthcare systems.\nKızılay Talks\nTurkish Red Crescent · 6 December 2018\nSpeaker at the Turkish Red Crescent's Kızılay Talks forum on Topics and Trends in Humanitarian Aid.\n\"21st Century Challenges to Independent Humanitarian Action\"\nLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine · 31 October 2019\nSeminar addressing the major challenges facing MSF as it approached its fiftieth year, drawing on current crises and organisational trends.\nPress Conferences # Press Briefing on Rohingya \u0026 ASEAN\nKuala Lumpur · 2 November 2024\nCalled for Malaysia to lead regional efforts to scale up humanitarian aid and legal protection for the Rohingya, citing sharply diminishing MSF access in Rakhine State.\nPress Conference: Open Letter to EU Leaders\nBrussels · 16 June 2024\nConfronted EU member states with their obligations under international law, calling for real diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel over Gaza.\nLast updated: April 2026\n","date":null,"permalink":"/speaking/","section":"Christopher Lockyear","summary":"","title":"Speaking"},{"content":"","date":null,"permalink":"/tags/","section":"Tags","summary":"","title":"Tags"},{"content":" Op-Eds \u0026 Opinion Academic Papers Op-Eds \u0026amp; Opinion # \"Uncomfortably Awake in an Age of Indifference\"\nLinkedIn · March 2026\nA reflection on what it means to sustain humanitarian commitment in an era of geopolitical fragmentation, in a world where indifference is becoming the default.\n\"Doctors cannot stop genocide — world leaders can\"\nAl Jazeera Opinion · September 2025\nStates that MSF colleagues in Gaza cannot stop a genocide but world leaders can if they choose to act.\n\"What is the cost for killing humanitarians?\"\nswissinfo.ch · May 2025\nArgues that attacks on humanitarian workers are increasingly \"cost-free\" for perpetrators in the absence of accountability, citing killings in Sudan, Gaza, and South Sudan.\n\"To be killed trying to flee, or to die besieged at home\"\nLe Monde · 19 November 2024\nDescribes the siege conditions and impossible choices forced on Gaza's civilian population.\n\"We are witnessing the execution of Israel's plan to force Palestinians from northern Gaza\"\nThe Irish Times · 18 November 2024\nCo-authored with Isabelle Defourny; describes conditions in northern Gaza as a systematic campaign to displace Palestinians through violence, displacement, and starvation.\n\"Climate action must include healthcare for the most vulnerable\"\nThe Straits Times · 11 November 2024\nArgues that climate action must prioritise healthcare access for vulnerable populations, linking environmental crisis with humanitarian and health system resilience.\n\"The United Kingdom is sleepwalking into renewing humanity's deadliest weapons\"\nopenDemocracy · 16 July 2016\nArgues that the UK is failing to adequately debate its decision to renew its nuclear weapons programme, with implications for international disarmament norms and humanitarian law.\n\"Counter-Terrorism: Counter-Humanitarianism?\"\nHuffPost · 12 December 2014\nExamines how US and NATO counter-terrorism frameworks in Afghanistan undermined independent humanitarian action.\n\"South Sudan: Don't Fire the Foreigners\"\nYale Journal of International Affairs · 7 October 2014\nWritten while directing MSF operations in South Sudan; argues that expelling foreign aid workers would be catastrophic for four million people dependent on humanitarian assistance.\nAcademic Papers # \"Who is your constituency? The political engagement of humanitarian organisations\"\nJournal of International Humanitarian Action, Springer Nature · December 2017\nCo-authored with Andrew Cunningham; peer-reviewed analysis of how humanitarian NGOs engage with their political constituencies following the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit.\n\"'Saving Lives and Staying Alive' — A Response\"\nMSF CRASH / ResearchGate · May 2016\nCo-authored with Andrew Cunningham; critiques how risk management frameworks are applied in humanitarian security practice.\nLast updated: April 2026\n","date":null,"permalink":"/writing/","section":"Christopher Lockyear","summary":"","title":"Writing"}]