Ms. Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen is the IFRC Regional Director for Europe covering 53 Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in Europe and Central Asia. The Regional Director is responsible for implementing the IFRC mandated functions: Strategic and Operational Coordination; Membership Services and Humanitarian Diplomacy in the region. 

The Regional Director currently oversees the Ukraine and impacted countries operation, which supports millions of people in and around Ukraine. In addition to relief, health, shelter and cash/vouchers, mental health is a key aspect of the support provided through this operation.  

The Regional Director has more than 15 years’ experience working with the IFRC network and has previously been International Director of Danish Red Cross and Co-chair of the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support.  

Ms. Ebbesen is from Denmark. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Roskilde University in Denmark as well as a diploma in High-Performance Leadership from the Copenhagen Business School.