Dr Hossam Elsharkawi has over 30 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector. His career has included assignments in more than 35 countries, comprising volunteer and professional roles across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Hossam was formerly Vice President of Health in Emergencies, Learning and Innovation at the Canadian Red Cross, where he led the preparedness and response for complex humanitarian emergencies. He has also previously worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop guidance for medical teams responding to health emergencies in armed conflict and insecure environments.

Alongside his role at the IFRC, Hossam is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and guest faculty at McGill and McMaster Universities where he teaches disaster response and health care in complex humanitarian crises.