Shelley Cheatham: Leading with compassion in crisis
“Anybody who goes through a personal trauma — whether it’s a disaster, conflict, or economic crisis — deserves to go through it with dignity.”
Shelley Cheatham, the Head of OCHA’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, didn’t always know she’d work in humanitarian assistance. But a life shaped by the values of community, global awareness, and deep empathy paved a clear path.
She grew up in Eugene, Oregon, with a grandmother who led by example — always volunteering, always giving back. Her church emphasized community service, and from an early age, she was taught that blessings are meant to be shared. At the same time, her father was a globe-trotting journalist, reporting from places like Colombia and Israel. The stories he brought home sparked her curiosity about the world and the people in it.
Shelley didn’t start out in the humanitarian field. She began her career as a high school history teacher, captivated by the lessons of the past. But in the early 2000s, a book reminded her of a greater calling, and she pivoted — going back to school to study international affairs, focusing on conflict and humanitarian assistance.
Her first job was in the World Bank’s security operations center, working the night shift to support staff dealing with crises around the world. From there, she moved into roles at USAID and eventually joined OCHA in 2008. Over the years, she has responded to disasters and conflicts in Turkey, Peru, Ecuador, Sudan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Despite the diversity of places, cultures, and crises, one thing remains constant: human suffering. And what continues to motivate Shelley is the ability to offer dignity in the midst of that suffering.
“As a mother of two boys, I want to contribute to a world where they grow up safe, healthy, and compassionate. Seeing people confront crisis, and being able to provide a little bit of dignity — that’s what keeps me going,” she says.
In her current role, she’s witnessing firsthand how the global aid community is under increasing pressure — underfunded, politicized, and in some cases, vilified. In Latin America and the Caribbean, harmful narratives accuse aid workers of fraud or interference. This not only hampers OCHA’s ability to work with governments, but puts real lives at risk. Clinics are closing. Essential services, like prenatal care, are vanishing.
Even more concerning to her is the erosion of long-term, dignity-centered approaches in favor of short-term fixes. “I fear we’re going back 20 years to a model of just arriving, giving, and leaving. Resilience and preparedness programs are ending — and with them, the chance to break the cycle.”
Still, she remains hopeful. She’s seen how humanitarian work has evolved — from merely delivering aid to building trust, listening to communities, and ensuring assistance arrives when and how it’s most needed.
Reflecting on the broader value of aid, especially from donor countries like the United States, she is clear-eyed. “It’s such a small investment — less than 1% of the U.S. budget — but the return is enormous. It builds goodwill, strengthens relationships, and helps create a healthier, more stable neighborhood in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Whether through improved seeds for small farmers or timely disaster support, Shelley sees humanitarian aid not only as a moral imperative but as a smart investment in shared futures.
“The sense of humanity is fading in public discourse,” she says. “But being a humanitarian means holding on to compassion and empathy — and putting it into action.”
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.
