Martin Griffiths, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief who has been addressing global crises for nearly three years, announced on Monday that he will be stepping down due to health reasons. Griffiths, who is 72 years old, contracted a severe case of COVID-19 in October and is still experiencing symptoms of long COVID. He assumed the role of U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator in July 2021 amidst escalating global crises and dwindling funds for humanitarian aid.
Griffiths’ dedication and service to the UN and the humanitarian community have been recognized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended him for his leadership in advocating for people affected by crises and mobilizing resources to address their needs. Throughout his career, Griffiths has held various roles in international humanitarian organizations, including serving as the first executive director of the European Institute of Peace, special adviser to UN special envoys for Syria, and deputy head of the UN mission in Syria during the early years of the conflict.
He was also director of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva in 1994, which preceded the establishment of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Afterward, he worked as the founding director of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva with a focus on promoting political dialogue between governments and insurgents in various countries across continents, including Asia, Africa, and Europe. Griffiths’ commitment to humanitarian efforts and conflict resolution has been evident throughout his career.
Farhan Haq, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Griffiths will continue in his role until June 30th to facilitate a smooth transition.
Overall, Griffiths’ tenure at UN has been marked by a tireless effort to address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises
