As humanitarian emergencies increasingly shape international relations, migration, economic stability, and national security, understanding these challenges has never been more important.
Join the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston for a timely luncheon conversation with Ciarán Donnelly, Senior Vice President for Crisis Response, Recovery & Development at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). With more than two decades of experience leading humanitarian operations in some of the world’s most challenging environments, Donnelly has helped direct relief efforts in regions affected by war, political instability, natural disasters, and forced displacement.
Drawing on his extensive field experience and global leadership, Donnelly will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how humanitarian organizations respond to rapidly evolving crises, prioritize limited resources, and work alongside governments, international institutions, and local communities to save lives and support long-term recovery. The conversation will examine the geopolitical forces driving instability, the evolving nature of humanitarian response, and the difficult decisions facing policymakers and aid organizations in an era of overlapping global crises.





