logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
38m 33s

The Missiles Don’t Stop Us - Denise Brow...

UNITED NATIONS, MELISSA FLEMING
About this episode

Denise Brown knows what it takes to work under the shadow of war. As UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, she and her team must brave considerable risks as they strive to meet the colossal humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people in the midst of a brutal war.

“The missiles slow us down, but they don’t stop us. That's testament to the courage, determination, and experience of the people we have there.”

Close to 18 million Ukrainians are now in need of humanitarian aid and protection. Millions have been forced from their homes by intense fighting that has killed and injured thousands. In this episode, Denise Brown reflects on life under bombardment, on the dangers of trips to the front line, and on making a difference in the most difficult of circumstances.

“We're in [some] places where very few others are. And we have the means, the experience, the capacity, that determination to be there. We are very strong when we want to be. And that inspires me.”

Up next
Feb 2025
Women’s rights are human rights, with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda - ASG and Deputy Exec. Director of UN Women
Having grown up in war-torn rural Zimbabwe, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda overcame extreme hardship to pursue a career at the highest levels of the United Nations. Now UN Assistant Secretary-General, and one of two deputy executive directors of UN Women, she wants little girls everywhe ... Show More
30m 38s
Jan 2025
Protecting children in crisis, with Catherine Russell - Executive Director of UNICEF
Catherine Russell never forgets the children she meets. As Executive Director of UNICEF, she bears witness to the stories of tens of millions of children and young people suffering around the world, and shares causes for optimism and hope wherever she finds it. “Children just wan ... Show More
34m 58s
Jan 2025
The battle to protect children from online abuse, with Carmen Corbin - UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Carmen Corbin dreamt of serving with the United Nations from an early age. Now head of transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking and terrorism prevention programs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in East Africa, she is dedicated to protecting child ... Show More
40m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2022
S3 Episode 22: 6.3 Million IDPs and a Humanitarian Crisis: Ukraine’s “New Normal”
Even if the war in Ukraine ended tomorrow, the country’s humanitarian needs would be colossal. Around 6.3 million people are displaced internally, with many still living in communal shelters not suited to the coming winter. While fighting rages on mostly in Ukraine’s east and sou ... Show More
28m 32s
Mar 2022
U.S. Warns Russia Will Hit More Civilian Targets And Seek “Slow Annihilation” Of Ukraine’s Military
U.S. officials warn that Russia’s strategy in its war on Ukraine will start to target civilians and seek a “slow annihilation” of Ukraine’s army. Ukrainian forces have been able to hold their ground while maintaining control of Kyiv and other major cities except the city of Khers ... Show More
1h 25m
Apr 2022
More American military equipment & training headed to Ukraine + how Biden's handling of Ukraine is playing here at home -- Resettling millions of internally displaced Ukrainians
The U.S. government is keeping the military aid rolling toward Ukraine. President Biden approved another 800-million-dollar package of equipment, ammunition and training for Ukraine's armed forces--including sending over heavier weapons, like howitzers and drones--shedding the pr ... Show More
14m 50s
Feb 2023
A Year of War in Ukraine
The war has already done untold damage. By some estimates, tens of thousands have died, and the country has sustained tens of billions of dollars’ worth of damage that has left cities flattened. But Ukraine has also largely stopped the offensives of its much larger and better-arm ... Show More
34m 23s
Jun 2022
Russia's war in Ukraine: Ukrainians must win - Війна в Україні: українці приречені перемогти
Ukraine is under attack - Ukrainians around the world and the war in Ukraine. New government in Australia and relations with Ukraine. Bogdan Rudnytski interviewed Stefan Romaniw, AM, Vice-president of the Ukrainian World Congress and Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainia ... Show More
12m 15s
Jun 2022
Ukraine's Battlefield Doctors
The task of a surgeon is not an easy one at the best of times, but some in Ukraine are having learn how to carry out operations in the midst of a battlefield. Many have been taught how to do this by the British surgeon, David Nott, who has worked in conflict zones around the glob ... Show More
28m 16s
Apr 2024
BBC OS Conversations: Sudan's war - One year on
Sudan has experienced a year of civil war. It’s been described by the United Nations as “one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history”. Over the past 12 months, we’ve heard from people in Sudan living through the violence and destruction. More than 14,000 people hav ... Show More
23m 20s