Swiss humanitarian relief expert Philippe Lazzarini has been appointed to head UNRWA the UN agency responsible for aiding Palestinian refugees Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Wednesday.
Guterres had recommended Lazzarini to UNRWA earlier this month.
“Mr. Lazzarini brings to the position more than thirty years of experience in humanitarian assistance and international coordination in conflict and post-conflict areas” a UN statement said.
Born in 1964 Lazzarini has coordinated the work of the UN in Lebanon for the past five years.
His career has taken him to Somalia Iraq Angola and the Palestinian territories.
He also has had positions with the Red Cross in Africa the Balkans and the Middle East.
Lazzarini replaces another Swiss national Pierre Krahenbuhl who was forced to resign in November 2019 amid accusations of mismanagement.
Founded in 1949 UNRWA runs schools and provides humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinian refugees in Jordan Lebanon Syria and the Palestinian territories.
UNRWA has been facing a financial crisis since the US administration cuff off major funding to it.
The US gave $360 million to UNRWA in 2017 but only $60 million in 2018 and nothing last year.
