Relief expert from Lebanon named UN humanitarian envoy to Iraq
A long-serving Lebanese official with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) was today named as Secretary-General
Kofi Annan’s Deputy Special Representative for Iraq, focusing on humanitarian relief, reconstruction and development in
the war-ravaged country.
Jean-Marie Fakhouri comes to the new assignment after serving in what has been termed the world’s worst humanitarian
crisis – that unfolding in Sudan. There, he served as UNHCR’s Director of Operations, a post which required him to
direct activities of 840 agency staff in the region addressing the needs of Sudanese refugees, returnees and internally
displaced persons.
During his 25-year tenure at UNHCR, Mr. Fakhouri has managed other humanitarian operations and complex emergencies,
serving in various capacities both at the Geneva Headquarters and in field locations such as Iraq.
The 55-year old envoy is fluent in English, French and Arabic. He succeeds Staffan de Mistura, who held the post since
January 2005.