Christina Powell: Bearing witness in a world of crises
“There is so much pain in the world — but there are also people who care. And we have to keep showing up for each other.”
For Christina Powell, becoming a humanitarian began with a single moment of outrage — and a book. While studying in college in coastal Maine, she came across King Leopold’s Ghost, a harrowing account of colonial violence in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The scale of suffering was immense, and yet I had never heard about it,” she recalls. “That feeling launched a career in which I’ve tried to raise awareness of crises around the world.”
Today, nearly a decade into that career, Christina is a Humanitarian Affairs Officer with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Myanmar — one of the world’s most urgent and underfunded crises, where nearly 20 million people are in need.
Her path to the frontlines of humanitarian response began with an internship at OCHA’s office in Switzerland during her graduate studies. “I was inspired by the strong, principled women I worked with. It made me believe in the mission of humanitarian work.”
Since then, Christina has worked in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In northeast Nigeria, she spent over two years amplifying the voices of people affected by violence — particularly women who had been abducted as children by armed groups. “It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life,” she says. “To sit with women who had survived so much and listen to their stories — it reminded me that my role is to bear witness and be an amplifier for their voices.”
She was also deployed to Beirut following the 2020 port explosion, and to Congo during the Ebola outbreaks in 2018 and 2019 — supporting coordination efforts in areas already ravaged by conflict. “I witnessed extraordinary bravery. Humanitarians were working in an active conflict zone, with bulletproof vests and helmets, putting themselves at risk to help the most vulnerable.”
What drives her, even amid danger and overwhelming need, are the people she meets along the way. “In every crisis, I’m motivated by those moments of connection with people affected by disaster. There’s nothing more important than letting someone know their story matters — that someone cares enough to listen.”
Working at OCHA has also brought something unexpected: a global community of colleagues. “OCHA is a melting pot. People from every corner of the world come together with different talents and perspectives. That diversity makes our work stronger.”
But the work has become harder. In Myanmar, as in many places, humanitarian needs continue to grow while funding falls short. “Underfunding has forced us to prioritize who gets help — meaning millions are left without aid,” she says. “Critical operations have been halted. Lives are at risk.”
What worries her most isn’t just the visible emergencies — but the invisible ones. “Right now, there are parents who have to tell their children they won’t eat today. There’s a woman in labor who won’t get medical care. There’s a child listening to bombs and feeling terror. These people are suffering, and the world doesn’t see it.”
Still, Christina holds onto a deep belief in the value of humanitarian work — not only for those it serves directly, but for everyone. “When Ebola broke out in Congo, it was humanitarian assistance that stopped the virus from spreading across the world. People in the U.S. were kept safe because humanitarians showed up.”
She remains committed to showing up too. “In every place I’ve worked, there’s pain — but there’s also resilience, hope, and strength. And as long as people are willing to share their stories, I’ll keep listening. That’s where the work begins.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) coordinates emergency responses to save lives and protect people in crises. OCHA brings together humanitarian organizations to ensure aid reaches those who need it most — quickly, efficiently, and based on need. By advocating for people in emergencies and mobilizing funding, OCHA helps deliver lifesaving assistance and uphold the dignity of those affected by conflict and disaster.
