Hossam Elsharkawi: Rescued from armed conflict as a child, he devotes his life to helping others

Delivered from the heart of armed conflict at the age of three, Hossam Elsharkawi has worked his entire life saving others. He earned his doctorate degree in public health and found his true calling: caring for people in dire and often dangerous situations around the world. Now, as IFRC’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, he talks about the challenges facing the region and what gives him hope despite the daunting realities. Disclaimer: This podcast was recorded on October 31. Please see our public online platforms for updates on the current humanitarian situation. 

Speaker

Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, Hossam Elsharkawi

Regional Director for MENA

The Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) oversees all IFRC assistance and advice to National Societies in the MENA region, ensuring effective disaster and crisis risk management and encouraging regional cooperation between members.

Hossam Elsharkawi

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Top left: Egyptian Red Crescent volunteers responding to the floods in Aswan in southern Egypt. Top right: Jordan Red Crescent volunteers working to to register all refugees living outside the camps in order to distribute aid effectively and fairly in 2021., bottom left: Lebanese Red Cross volunteers distributing blankets and hygiene kits to 250 families at the a distribution point in Tripoli in Northern Lebanon. bottom right: Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers unload food, shelter items, hygiene kits.

Middle East: Complex emergency crisis

The dramatic escalation of hostilities in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories since October 7 has left millions of people living in fear, interrupted critical services that people rely on to survive, and left families on both sides grieving the loss of loved ones. The humanitarian needs are immense and the situation is expected to deteriorate as more people are displaced by the fighting. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC and its membership will support the Lebanese Red Cross, Egyptian Red Crescent, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Jordanian Red Crescent in preparing and strengthening their readiness and response. View the appeal document in Arabic here.

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13/12/2023

PDF | Emergency Appeal Revision

Middle East -Complex Emergency Crisis- (MDRS5002)

13/12/2023 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Revision

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