Director, Middle East and North Africa Prior to becoming director of the Middle East and North Africa zone for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr. Ghanem has held numerous leadership roles for the organization. This has included head of support services in the Middle East and North Africa as well as regional and country representative, programme coordinator and delegate in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe.
Before joining the IFRC, he was a senior leader at the Lebanon Red Cross. He was introduced to the Movement as a young student by participating in a first aid course organized by his local Red Cross. He then became a volunteer and supported the Lebanon Red Cross in a variety of humanitarian operations including the evacuation of wounded people and assisting survivors of war.
Mr. Ghanem has a degree in management and has completed post-graduate studies in leading innovation and change. He has certificates in paramedical disciplines and health sector management and speaks Arabic, English, French and Russian.