Experts & Staff

Kelly Petillo

Programme Manager, Middle East and North Africa

Areas of expertise

Middle East; human rights; refugees; humanitarian issues

Languages

Italian, English, French

Biography

Kelly Petillo is the programme manager for Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations, focusing on refugee, humanitarian and human rights issues. Her publications include From aid to inclusion: A better way to help Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan

Petillo’s experience stems from roles at various human rights and humanitarian INGOs and UN agencies in Europe and the Middle East, including Crisis Action, the International Crisis Group and the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA). In the past, Kelly carried out research on the impact of the war in Syria on Palestinian refugees since its outbreak in 2011. She also spent time in Lebanon, where she helped convening youth-led events to promote the rights of refugees and migrant workers in the country.

On the brink: Why Europeans need to help save UNRWA from collapse

The UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees is on the brink of collapse, facing huge funding cuts and a dire situation amid the war in Gaza. But now more than ever, Europeans need to support its operations or risk an even more unstable situation

Tipping point: The risks of Palestinian displacement for Egypt

Israel’s expanding ground-offensive threatens to push Palestinians out of Gaza and into neighbouring Egypt. This would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and risks destabilising Egypt, an important European partner

Humanitarian first: Delivering aid to Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake

In the aftermath of the earthquake, minimal aid is reaching north-west Syria, the most affected region in the country. European governments need to put humanitarian imperatives first, even if this means temporarily abandoning longstanding political positions

Unsettled: The impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Middle East and North Africa

Heightened conflict in Ukraine could have serious consequences for European interests in the Middle East and North Africa. It could further disrupt energy supplies, exacerbate food insecurity, and help states in the region gain leverage over the US and Europe

Stuck in limbo: How Europe can protect Syrian refugees

Europeans who have at heart the sustainable return of refugees, in line with Europe’s core interests and with the will of the Syrian people, should focus on ensuring that conditions on the ground in Syria allow for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns

Out of place: Why Europe needs a new refugee policy

The White House’s intent to restore the global human rights agenda should prompt the EU and its member states to rethink their refugee policies, at a time when refugees and other displaced people face immense challenges

Publications

Articles

On the brink: Why Europeans need to help save UNRWA from collapse

The UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees is on the brink of collapse, facing huge funding cuts and a dire situation amid the war in Gaza. But now more than ever, Europeans need to support its operations or risk an even more unstable situation

Tipping point: The risks of Palestinian displacement for Egypt

Israel’s expanding ground-offensive threatens to push Palestinians out of Gaza and into neighbouring Egypt. This would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and risks destabilising Egypt, an important European partner

Humanitarian first: Delivering aid to Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake

In the aftermath of the earthquake, minimal aid is reaching north-west Syria, the most affected region in the country. European governments need to put humanitarian imperatives first, even if this means temporarily abandoning longstanding political positions

Unsettled: The impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Middle East and North Africa

Heightened conflict in Ukraine could have serious consequences for European interests in the Middle East and North Africa. It could further disrupt energy supplies, exacerbate food insecurity, and help states in the region gain leverage over the US and Europe

Stuck in limbo: How Europe can protect Syrian refugees

Europeans who have at heart the sustainable return of refugees, in line with Europe’s core interests and with the will of the Syrian people, should focus on ensuring that conditions on the ground in Syria allow for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns

Out of place: Why Europe needs a new refugee policy

The White House’s intent to restore the global human rights agenda should prompt the EU and its member states to rethink their refugee policies, at a time when refugees and other displaced people face immense challenges

In the media