By Abdul Kareem

United Nations — Tom Fletcher officially stepped into his role as the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, becoming the 12th individual to hold this vital position within the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In his inaugural statement, Fletcher acknowledged the enormity of the challenges ahead, stating,

“I am under no illusions as to how tough a mission this is. The impact on civilians of conflict, climate change, inequality and injustice is growing at a staggering rate.”

He emphasized his commitment to uphold humanitarian values, declaring, “I will defend our humanitarian movement and battle to make us more efficient, strategic, inclusive and innovative.”

Fletcher’s extensive background includes notable roles as the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Lebanon and as an adviser to three Prime Ministers on foreign and development policy. He has a rich history of engagement with the UN during his diplomatic career across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

“The need for international solidarity has never been more urgent,” Fletcher added, underscoring his goal to revitalize global cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises. He brings a wealth of experience, having also served as the Global Strategy Director for the Global Business Coalition for Education and as chair of the UK Creative Industries Federation.

A graduate of the University of Oxford with a Master of Arts in Modern History, Fletcher is fluent in English and French and has a working knowledge of Arabic and Swahili. His diverse expertise positions him to navigate the complexities of humanitarian efforts in a rapidly changing world.

The Humanitarian Times newsroom hopes that as Fletcher embarks on this critical mission, his leadership may well define the future of humanitarian response at a time when the stakes have never been higher.