Jacob Kurtzer is a senior associate (non-resident) with the Humanitarian Agenda, an initiative that leverages the expertise of CSIS programs to explore complex humanitarian challenges. Prior to joining CSIS, Mr. Kurtzer spent seven years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), most recently as head of communications for the ICRC Delegation in Israel and the occupied territories. Previously, he served as head of public and congressional affairs for the Washington Delegation of the ICRC, representing the ICRC to a broad spectrum of audiences in the United States and Canada. In addition, he has conducted field missions in South Sudan, and Rakhine State, Myanmar and spent nearly three years as a consultant with the ICRC delegation in Pretoria, South Africa. From 2007-2009, he served as the congressional advocate at Refugees International (RI), a humanitarian advocacy organization based in Washington D.C. Mr. Kurtzer began his career as a legislative assistant to Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida covering domestic and foreign policy issues, including managing the Congressional Indonesia Caucus. Mr. Kurtzer earned an M.A. in peace and conflict studies from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he studied as a Rotary Foundation World Peace Fellow. He also holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a citation in religious studies, and is an alumnus of the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program.
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
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In the News
'People are starving and thirsty': As the US sends aid to Ukraine, some say it's not flowing fast enough
Jacob Kurtzer in USA Today — July 18, 2022
How to Vaccinate Behind Enemy Lines
Jacob Kurtzer in Foreign Affairs — May 15, 2022
The problem with humanitarian corridors
Jacob Kurtzer in National Journal — March 17, 2022
Europe is bracing for a possible huge influx of refugees if Russia attacks Ukraine
Jacob Kurtzer in NBC News — February 16, 2022
Biden Keeping Half of Afghanistan’s $7B in Assets for 9/11 Victims
Jacob Kurtzer in Voice of America — February 13, 2022
Biden Keeping Half of Afghanistan’s $7B in Assets for 9/11 Victims
Jacob Kurtzer in Voice of America — February 11, 2022
Can the U.S. help Afghans without empowering the Taliban?
Jacob Kurtzer in National Journal — February 10, 2022
Syrian humanitarian crisis worsening with winter weather
Jacob Kurtzer in CBS News — January 29, 2022
All Jacob Kurtzer Content
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2022 Washington Humanitarian Forum: Closing the Gap
Event — November 9, 2022
Humanitarian Innovation in Action
Event — July 19, 2022
The Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine
Event — March 24, 2022
Reorienting Humanitarian Responses for Long-Term Food Security Solutions with Tjada McKenna
Podcast Episode by Caitlin Welsh and Jacob Kurtzer — August 6, 2021
Covid-19 in Fragile & Conflict-Affected Areas: A Dynamic Problem
Podcast Episode by Katherine E. Bliss, Jacob Kurtzer, and Erol Yayboke — July 28, 2021
Colombia Makes History by Offering Protective Status to Displaced Venezuelans
Critical Questions by Erol Yayboke, Jacob Kurtzer, Hannah Davin, and Molly Naylor-Komyatte — February 19, 2021
Online Event: Launch of the 2021 UN Global Humanitarian Overview
Event — December 1, 2020
Online Event: Elevating Humanitarian Action in Sudan's Democratic Transition
Event — October 27, 2020