Negotiating Humanity: Reaching People in the Hands of Armed Groups

For this session, we welcomed our Ambassador Deike Potzel, Clara Buelhoff, Operations Coordinator Eurasia at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Omar Ahmed Abenza, Director Global and Field Programs at the Center of Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), who discussed about one of the most challenging aspects of humanitarian diplomacy: Negotiations with armed groups and securing access to reach people in conflict-affected areas. 

Humanitarian needs are rising and facing enormous challenges with over 130 active conflicts and over 204 million people living in contested or fully controlled territories by non-State armed groups. Our panellists, with frontline field experience including in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, or Yemen, shared their insights and personal experiences on engagements with armed groups, stressing the importance of long-term trust building, including personal relationships, to carry out successful negotiations. Our conversation also touched upon the accountability of armed groups and how the pursuit of legitimacy often drives their general interest in negotiating with humanitarian actors.  Overall, they reflected on the necessity of ongoing engagement to ensure people in need are reached, though this can come with risks, mostly for local staff. Working in the humanitarian field is purpose-driven and rewarding, but it requires taking out one's own ego and reflecting on why one is choosing this path. 

EU Delegation, 2026

This discussion provided trainees from Permanent Missions, the United Nations and other international organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations, a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of humanitarian aid by directly engaging with humanitarians to get first-hand insights into the work on crucial negotiations to deliver such aid and protection to vulnerable populations.  Among the many brilliant questions asked by the trainees, the role of disinformation in conflicts, collaboration with other UN agencies or frontline journalists, and how new actors shape the realities in which humanitarians have to navigate were discussed.   

Through these talks, trainees gain access to an open platform to engage meaningfully with experts and practitioners addressing the most pressing issues in multilateralism today. We thank our speakers, Ambassador Deike Potzel, Clara Buelhoff and Omar Ahmed Abenza, as all trainees that joined us for the really interesting exchange. We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Trainee Talk! 

EU Delegation, 2026