Three friends, Tony Thompson, a former Royal Navy clearance diver, David Horrocks, an international development aid specialist and Dr. Christina Louise Bennike, an emergency response and development specialist, first met each other in 2007 whilst working for different humanitarian mine action organizations that were responding to the devastating impact of cluster munitions after the 2006 conflict
in South Lebanon. Since then, each of them has continued to dedicate their careers to saving and improving the lives of vulnerable people living in conflict and disaster zones across the globe. In early 2014, these three friends, sharing a commitment to implementing quality humanitarian assistance programs, evaluated how they could better use the knowledge and skills that they have gained over their combined 85 years experience in conflict and disaster zones; how could they use this to deliver greater impact in making a real difference to those who have survived devastating conflicts and disasters but still remain vulnerable and at-risk from death and injury? Their different experiences distilled into the need to focus on the much needed human security aspect of humanitarian support that respects and builds upon local skills and knowledge that ensures people and communities have a real voice. Through months of discussion, research, global assessments, Tony, David, and Christina decided to create Conflict Recovery International to address the world's most serious crises with a different and more inclusive approach. In 2015, Tony, David and Christina invited Jody Tief to become CRI’s Director of Finance and a few months later, Matthew Rodieck joined the CRI senior management team as Director of Victim Assistance. Due to their personal commitments, Tony left as CRI’s Technical Director in March 2016, followed by David as Director of Operations in October 2016. Christina continues to lead CRI as the Chief Executive Officer. CRI's new Board of Directors has recently been created and is being chaired by Dr. Roswitha Newels. Bios for Dr. Newels and all Board members will be provided in the near future.
