Mukesh Kapila
@mukeshkapila
Author and writer: Humanitarian, Human Rights, Development, War and Peace. Ex UN, WHO, Red Cross Red Crescent, UK Government. Professor Emeritus Univ of Manchester
The #Venezuela earthquake response is among the worst worldwide of recent quake responses with many previous lessons unlearnt or deliberately ignored, thereby compounding the original 'natural' tragedy. My thoughts on this in the first of two articles: www.mukeshkapila.org/in-venezuela...
AI wont save humanitarianism and could it quietly finish hollowing it out? It may sharpen planning, logistics but it cant manufacture a missing food ration. Nor can it make the moral triaging choices of who gets helped. My latest oped for The National News www.mukeshkapila.org/should-we-tr...
The humanitarian legacy of the war in Iran and Lebanon will continue to give and give well beyond the battlefields - even if and when these go quiet. My latest opinion piece via The National News: www.mukeshkapila.org/the-humanita...
Do foreign development global health aid cuts mean greater disease and suffering for developing countries? No - it is an opportunity. This is what i argue in my article below via The National News. www.mukeshkapila.org/why-the-pani...
I very much agree with most of this article: The careless, casual, crafty way in which partisan politicians, thoughtless activists, and remunerated lawyers use term genocide means it has lost its meaning and purpose - to bring accountability, deter, and prevent egregious crimes against humanity
Look forward to talking to the UN University of Peace in Costa Rica later today on The Foretold Genocide(s) in Sudan and the failure of international law and Responsibility to Protect - and why this happens again and again in many places - and surprises us everytime it does
As the old international order vanishes o also does its accompanying international law. Without wasting too much time flogging dead horses, we should urgently debate new - perhaps very different - legal frameworks for our tough new era. My oped: www.mukeshkapila.org/in-the-new-w...
The year-end also marks end of first quarter-century of this Millennium. Global goal-setting (MDGs, SDGs) is failing as one prescription does not suit all nations. Why wait till 2030 to re-envision sustainable development strategies? My latest oped: www.mukeshkapila.org/a-quarter-ce...
#COP30 trundles on but enough for the climate crisis? My latest column at NationalNews argues that narrow quick-fix climate actions wont do the job. We must return to broader climate-sensitive development that is the true climate justice that many clamour for www.mukeshkapila.org/climate-just...
Weird dissociation feeling - my mind being stuck in bloody Sudan where all in uniform are blood sucking monsters and my body is here in Singapore consorting with soldiers who could not be more professional humanitarian. Decent dutiful soldiers do exist - tragically Africa is not blessed with them
interesting to be in Singapore as observer to this exercise with military and civil humanitarian capacities of friendly & rival/enemy nations across Asia coming together to practice mutual aid disaster responses. Who says multilateralism is dead? Who says UN needs to be at the centre of that?
Having been personally involved in the chaos of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, impressed to be in the region again to see enormous progress made since then in terms of coordinated regional capacities incl civil, military, govt, corporates, for mutual help across the region for now frequent disasters
Pleased to be in Singapore for this to speak. If only we knew what the future will bring. But then, if we did, there would be no need for such events
Much ado about this year’s Nobel Peace Prize and whether or not Trump deserves it. But do you really want a poisoned chalice that jinxes peacemaking efforts & brings more repression and conflict wherever it focuses? READ my latest piece: www.mukeshkapila.org/the-best-att...
For the sake of sustaining a potential peace, it is vital to ensure that the unpalatable truths of the Gaza war are not buried. But first challenge is to dig up all those truths. My column via The National: www.mukeshkapila.org/what-the-gaz...
Think of Trump what you will he has unerring ability to stick his finger in every crack in society and his questions cant be dismissed. One of them on the purpose of the United Nations is the topic for my column below: www.mukeshkapila.org/trump-is-rig...
Proportion of civilian deaths in Gaza approaches the levels seen in recognised genocides Rwanda and Srebrenica and if you add the civilian & unknown status proportions in Sudan which is skewed by Darfur genocides.
The flowers laid on memorials for the 30th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide have already faded. What about the lessons? Of course they aren’t static as each generation sees the past with new eyes. My own reflections on wider implications for war and peace: www.mukeshkapila.org/the-complex-...
The United Nations at 80. Too old or not old enough? Look forward to discussing this question on this extended radio chat show.
After a decade in office as UN High Commissioner for refugees at UNHCR Filippo Grandi later this year. A good record of service in context of hostile world changes. Farewell from the Geneva diplomatic community at a time diplomacy & multilateralism are increasingly out of favour
Fascinating to watch President Trump’s long press conference after NATO summit. Regardless of whose side you are politically and if you believe him or not, it was a masterclass in sparring with journalists and smashing them. Score Trump 10 Journos 0. Surely media can do better?
Bill Gates is a generous man committed to doing good. But is he entitled to spend his mega billions as he likes? How does that affect public policy? Should supersized philanthropies be allowed to direct our society without accountability? My latest reflection: www.mukeshkapila.org/the-philanth...
An instructive day in Paris at European Negotiation Conference speaking in roundtables on “dealing with ideological driven govts” and “women leadership in complex negotiations”. Big gap btw practitioners moaning about problems & academics striving to explain why. No solutions but great setting
Humanitarians squabble over principles & leaders of agencies & countries compete on outrage.Battling over Gaza corpses on what is or not right way to help is obscene when all efforts needed. Give Gaza Humanitarian Foundation a chance. My oped via National News: www.mukeshkapila.org/the-gaza-hum...
Formulae for life. What do these numbers mean and say? Answers invited.
Later today at DIHAD, Dubai -first, a “fireside” chat with Patricia Danzi, Head of Swiss Govt’s Agency for Development Cooperation: How is the Swiss brand doing amongst global turmoil? and then moderate a panel on the “evolution of humanitarian principles” in a conflict world. Are principles dead?