More Than First Responders, The Podcast

[AUDIO] What We Carry After Disaster: Youth, Humanitarianism, and Mental Health in Nepal

In this episode of the More Than First Responders podcast, Ciara speaks with Purnika Shrestha, a young humanitarian volunteer and mental health advocate from Nepal.
Purnika began her humanitarian journey at a very young age, shaped profoundly by the 2015 earthquake when she was only 10 years old. She reflects on witnessing the devastation caused by a lack of preparedness, and on how community mobilisation, mutual care, and youth leadership played a crucial role in the response. These early experiences continue to inform her work today, especially her commitment to strengthening mental health support in emergencies.
In the conversation, she discusses why mental health is not an optional add-on but an essential part of humanitarian action, and why humanitarians themselves must be supported to look after their own wellbeing. It is an honest and thoughtful exchange about resilience, community, and the emotional realities of crisis work.
⚠️ Context note: This episode was recorded in December 2024 and reflects the perspectives shared during the recording date. Since then, in September 2025, young people in Nepal launched the “Nepo Babies and End Corruption” online campaign, which quickly grew into a nationwide youth-led movement challenging entrenched systems of power. Young people took to the streets in unprecedented numbers, ultimately contributing to a major political shift. The country is now awaiting its next election in a period of significant transition.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes mention of mental health conditions and suicide.

[VIDEO] What We Carry After Disaster: Youth, Humanitarianism, and Mental Health in Nepal

In this episode of the More Than First Responders podcast, Ciara speaks with Purnika Shrestha, a young humanitarian volunteer and mental health advocate from Nepal.
Purnika began her humanitarian journey at a very young age, shaped profoundly by the 2015 earthquake when she was only 10 years old. She reflects on witnessing the devastation caused by a lack of preparedness, and on how community mobilisation, mutual care, and youth leadership played a crucial role in the response. These early experiences continue to inform her work today, especially her commitment to strengthening mental health support in emergencies.
In the conversation, she discusses why mental health is not an optional add-on but an essential part of humanitarian action, and why humanitarians themselves must be supported to look after their own wellbeing. It is an honest and thoughtful exchange about resilience, community, and the emotional realities of crisis work.
⚠️ Context note: This episode was recorded in December 2024 and reflects the perspectives shared during the recording date. Since then, in September 2025, young people in Nepal launched the “Nepo Babies and End Corruption” online campaign, which quickly grew into a nationwide youth-led movement challenging entrenched systems of power. Young people took to the streets in unprecedented numbers, ultimately contributing to a major political shift. The country is now awaiting its next election in a period of significant transition.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes mention of mental health conditions and suicide.

[AUDIO] Truth from Tbilisi: Journalism, Youth, and Humanitarian Action

In this episode of More Than First Responders: The Podcast, Ciara speaks with Mariam Rigvava, a young activist from Georgia whose work brings a sharp, investigative lens to the world of humanitarian action.
Together, they explore how Georgian youth are refusing to be silent, demanding their place in shaping the country’s future, and finding ways to turn moments of crisis into opportunities for solidarity and care. From volunteering during devastating floods in Tbilisi to reporting on protests, young people are showing how activism and humanitarianism can take many forms: small acts of storytelling, mutual aid, and community compassion that collectively build resilience and hope.
It is an inspiring conversation about truth-telling, civic courage, and the enduring power of young people to redefine what humanitarian action looks like, from the newsroom to the streets.
⚠️ Context note: Over the past year, protests in Tbilisi have grown larger and more diverse, reflecting public frustration with Georgia’s political direction and stalled EU accession. What began as demonstrations against the “foreign agents” bill has evolved into a broader civic movement led by students, journalists, and activists. The government’s response has become increasingly forceful: police have used teargas and water cannons, while new laws have expanded the definition of “public disruption” and sharply increased fines.
Since 2024, measures such as the “foreign agents” law and new restrictions on protests have tightened control over dissent, prompting concern from human rights groups and international observers that Georgia is drifting away from democratic and European standards.

[VIDEO] Truth from Tbilisi: Journalism, Youth, and Humanitarian Action

In this episode of More Than First Responders: The Podcast, Ciara speaks with Mariam Rigvava, a young activist from Georgia whose work brings a sharp, investigative lens to the world of humanitarian action.
Together, they explore how Georgian youth are refusing to be silent, demanding their place in shaping the country’s future, and finding ways to turn moments of crisis into opportunities for solidarity and care. From volunteering during devastating floods in Tbilisi to reporting on protests, young people are showing how activism and humanitarianism can take many forms: small acts of storytelling, mutual aid, and community compassion that collectively build resilience and hope.
It is an inspiring conversation about truth-telling, civic courage, and the enduring power of young people to redefine what humanitarian action looks like, from the newsroom to the streets.
⚠️ Context note: Over the past year, protests in Tbilisi have grown larger and more diverse, reflecting public frustration with Georgia’s political direction and stalled EU accession. What began as demonstrations against the “foreign agents” bill has evolved into a broader civic movement led by students, journalists, and activists. The government’s response has become increasingly forceful: police have used teargas and water cannons, while new laws have expanded the definition of “public disruption” and sharply increased fines.
Since 2024, measures such as the “foreign agents” law and new restrictions on protests have tightened control over dissent, prompting concern from human rights groups and international observers that Georgia is drifting away from democratic and European standards.

[VIDEO] Healing in Crisis: Youth and Child-Centred Response in Iran

In this episode of the More Than First Responders podcast, Ciara speaks with Mehrsa Hamidi, a medical student and youth humanitarian leader from Iran.
Mehrsa discusses the power of youth-led initiatives in driving systemic change, the importance of advocacy for children’s health and rights, and innovative approaches to humanitarian action in challenging environments. She talks about founding InPedia, the pediatric association at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and her volunteer work supporting children directly. The conversation highlights children’s specific needs in emergencies, the importance of prioritising mental health, and how bringing together different specialisms can strengthen humanitarian action. It is a thoughtful exchange that reinforces the central role of youth in shaping more inclusive, holistic, and responsive approaches to crisis.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in December 2024 and reflects the perspectives shared during the recording date. The global humanitarian landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with new challenges facing youth activists and vulnerable communities alike.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive themes, including sexual abuse of children. View discretion advised.

[AUDIO] Healing in Crisis: Youth and Child-Centred Response in Iran

In this episode of the More Than First Responders podcast, Ciara speaks with Mehrsa Hamidi, a medical student and youth humanitarian leader from Iran.
Mehrsa discusses the power of youth-led initiatives in driving systemic change, the importance of advocacy for children’s health and rights, and innovative approaches to humanitarian action in challenging environments. She talks about founding InPedia, the pediatric association at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and her volunteer work supporting children directly. The conversation highlights children’s specific needs in emergencies, the importance of prioritising mental health, and how bringing together different specialisms can strengthen humanitarian action. It is a thoughtful exchange that reinforces the central role of youth in shaping more inclusive, holistic, and responsive approaches to crisis.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in December 2024 and reflects the perspectives shared during the recording date. The global humanitarian landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with new challenges facing youth activists and vulnerable communities alike.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive themes, including sexual abuse of children. View discretion advised.

[AUDIO] Youth Leadership and Artistic Action in the DRC

Welcome to the first episode of More Than First Responders, The  Podcast, where young humanitarians open up about their work, their take on the system, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.Hosted by Ciara Watson, a coordinator of the digital community for young humanitarians and advocacy professional with Violet Syria, this season kicks off with Christophe Hamisi from the Democratic Republic of Congo.Christophe talks about the protracted and often overlooked conflict in his country, the shortcomings of the humanitarian system, and how grassroots organising is driving change in both the humanitarian and climate justice movements. He also shares how art can spark solidarity and real transformation, and sets the stage for big themes this season like youth leadership, self-care, and creative campaigning.
Hodari Fund: https://www.fondshodari.org/fr
⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in December 2024. Since then, the situation in Eastern DRC has become even more alarming. Goma and Bukavu are now under armed group control, banking services have been shut down for months, and reports describe widespread abuses including displacement, gender-based violence, arrests, and forced recruitment. Today, the crisis is escalating, with over 7 million people displaced and 27 million people in need of humanitarian assistance [UNHCR, 2025].
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive themes, including sexual violence and abuse. Listener discretion advised.

[VIDEO] Youth Leadership and Artistic Action in the DRC

Welcome to the first episode of More Than First Responders, The  Podcast, where young humanitarians open up about their work, their take on the system, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.Hosted by Ciara Watson, a coordinator of the digital community for young humanitarians and advocacy professional with Violet Syria (ActionAid partner), this season kicks off with Christophe Hamisi from the Democratic Republic of Congo.Christophe talks about the protracted and often overlooked conflict in his country, the shortcomings of the humanitarian system, and how grassroots organising is driving change in both the humanitarian and climate justice movements. He also shares how art can spark solidarity and real transformation, and sets the stage for big themes this season like youth leadership, self-care, and creative campaigning.
Hodari Fund: https://www.fondshodari.org/fr
⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in December 2024. Since then, the situation in Eastern DRC has become even more alarming. Goma and Bukavu are now under armed group control, banking services have been shut down for months, and reports describe widespread abuses including displacement, gender-based violence, arrests, and forced recruitment. Today, the crisis is escalating, with over 7 million people displaced and 27 million people in need of humanitarian assistance [UNHCR, 2025].
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive themes, including sexual violence and abuse. Listener discretion advised.