The New Humanitarian

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Journalism, Personal essays, Opinion, Analysis, Interviews. Official guideline: The New Humanitarian guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Stories from conflicts and disasters that improve understanding of people in humanitarian crises.
• Official formats include news, news features, analysis, 800-word opinion, 1,000–1,200-word first-person essays, investigations, photo features, interviews, podcasts.
• A pitch with working headline, why it matters, unique angle, who you will interview, and a risk assessment if needed.
• Africa: Philip Kleinfeld (philip@thenewhumanitarian.org) or Obi Anyadike (obinna@thenewhumanitarian.org).

Subjects they avoid

• AI-written pitches. Official: hear from you, not AI.
• Stories other outlets are already covering, unless you add a distinct humanitarian angle.

Key requirements

• Email the relevant editor listed on the official pitch page
• No AI pitch
• Headline, angle, sources, risk note if needed

Who can submit

The official pitch page does not list countries. They want original humanitarian reporting and first-person voices from crises. Africa coverage is commissioned by named Africa editors.

Rights

Not publicly stated on the pitch page.

AI policy

Prohibited

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Email pitch to the relevant commissioning editor

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Email pitch to the relevant commissioning editor
• Submission email: philip@thenewhumanitarian.org

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/about-us/pitch-us-a-story.
• For Africa stories email philip@thenewhumanitarian.org or obinna@thenewhumanitarian.org.
• Investigations have a separate secure pitch page.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Not a single published response time for all pitches

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.