Somali diplomat Mohamed Yahya has been named Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The UN agency is responsible for mobilising and coordinating international humanitarian efforts so that aid reaches people affected by conflict, disasters and other emergencies.
The appointment was announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, with the global body highlighting Mohamed’s decades-long experience in development, humanitarian action and peace-building.
“Mohamed brings to the position over two decades of experience in development, humanitarian action and peace-building, gained at headquarters, regional and field levels across Africa and South Asia,” the UN said in a statement.
The Somali national, who grew up in Kenya, succeeds Joyce Msuya of Tanzania, with the UN expressing appreciation for her service in the humanitarian leadership position.
“Both the Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator are grateful for her dedicated service to the humanitarian cause,” the UN said.
Mohamed currently serves as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, where he oversees one of the UN’s largest country operations in Asia and the Pacific. In that role, he coordinated the UN response to the devastating 2025 floods in the country.
“Before his appointment in Pakistan, he served as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, where he led one of UNDP's largest country offices,” said the UN.
In the past, Mohamed also coordinated UNDP’s Africa Regional Programme, working with the African Union on conflict prevention and stabilisation efforts across the continent.
He likewise previously served with the United Nations and International Alert in West Africa and Afghanistan on peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery initiatives.
The Somali diplomat holds a master’s degree in conflict and development and a bachelor’s degree in politics and history from SOAS University of London.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google