Our Team in Syrian Arab Republic

Amanya Michael Ebye has spent 31 years working in the humanitarian assistance field. His humanitarian career started in 1993 in Uganda where he served as a Field Program Manager for a UNHCR funded program for Rwandese refugees in Western Uganda. From 1994 to 1997 he worked in Rwanda supporting communities that had survived the genocide.
In 1997 he joined ActionAid and served as the Humanitarian and Peace Building Coordinator for Uganda.
In 2001 he was appointed as the IRC Field Coordinator to oversee a multi sectoral program for Burundian and Congolese refugees in Western Tanzania.
From 2003 to 2005 he served as IRC Country Director for Tanzania and from 2005 to 2007 he served as the Director of the IRC’s Darfur multi sectoral programs in Sudan – one of the IRC’s largest and most challenging relief operations at the time– providing multi sectoral assistance to over one million IDPs in Darfur.
From 2007 to 2010, he served as the IRC Regional Director for the Middle East supporting programs in Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and the OPT.
From 2012 to 2016 he served as IRC Regional Director for DRC overseeing a program that provided assistance to 2.5 million displaced and vulnerable Congolese through its multi sectoral program.
In March 2017 he joined UNRWA as Deputy Director for Programs in Syria. UNRWA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide quasi-state social and relief services for about 450,000 Palestine refugees in Syria. UNRWA employs 4,000 staff in Syria with human development program across the country.
In February 2019, he was appointed as Field Director for the UNRWA Program in Syria.
A native of Uganda, Amanya received his B.A. in Social Work and Social Administration and an M.A. in Social Sector Planning and Management from Makerere University in Uganda.

Adel Darwish serves as Director of the ITU Regional Office for Arab States, covering 22 Arab countries. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of telecommunications, spanning incumbent operator, startup operator, and regulator. In his different roles, Mr. Darwish has been involved with international relations, including ICANN, GSMA, the GCC Council, the League of Arab States, Arab Regulatory Network (AREGNET), and SAMENA Council.

Dr Awad Mataria is the Acting WHO Representative in Syria. Before assuming this role, he served as Acting WHO Representative and Head of Mission in the Islamic Republic of Iran.


He previously served as Director of Universal Health Coverage/Health Systems at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, where he supported countries across the Region to reform their health systems with focus on health financing reforms to advance progress towards universal health coverage.


Dr Mataria has more than 15 years of experience in health system strengthening, health economics and health financing.


He holds a PhD in Health Economics and a Master’s degree in Health System Analysis, following his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy. His areas of expertise include universal health coverage, health systems financing and organization, social health insurance, health care priority setting, economic evaluation of health care interventions, national health accounts, and measuring the benefits of health care using stated preference techniques.


He has published in several high-impact journals, including the Journal of Health Economics, Health Economics and The Lancet, and co-edited a Book on “Making Health Systems Work in Low and Middle Income Countries” published by Cambridge University Press. He has also presented at many international and regional conferences.

Ms Cristina Albertin is the UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa. Working for UNODC since 1994, Ms Albertin has served in different capacities in Peru and at UNODC Headquarters in Vienna (Regional Section Latin America and the Caribbean) before becoming a Representative in Bolivia, South Asia, and Nigeria. Before joining UNODC, she worked for three years with the World Food Programme in Bolivia.

Cynthia Darrous Khoury, a Lebanese national, is currently UNIC Beirut’s Officer-in-Charge. She has 20 years of experience in public information and crisis communications, 16 of which with the UN Information Centre in Beirut, where she has led on multiple campaigns while also developing and implementing strategies for communicating key UN messages in Lebanon and the region. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from the Lebanese University.

Ms. Enshrah Ahmed joined as UNFPA Representative for Syria in 01 October 2025. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the development, humanitarian and human rights fields, working largely with UNFPA and the UN system in the Arab region.
Prior to joining UNFPA in Syria, Enshrah served as the Representative of UNFPA's office in Yemen 2023-2025, in Jordan 2020-2023, and as the Deputy Regional Director for UN Women. She has led numerous positions related to gender and women rights as the Gender Unit Chief at the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and the United Nations Mission to Lebanon. Prior to joining the UN system, she worked in the United Kingdom including at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International.
Enshrah is a British citizen and is originally from Sudan. She holds a Master's degree in Gender and Development from the London School of Economics in the UK. She has written widely on a range of gender issues, including her most recent paper entitled “Female Genital Mutilation and Population Movements in and outside the Arab Region”, in collaboration with the Coventry University in the UK and Ahfad University in Sudan.

Mr. Takabayashi has been assigned the Head of UN-Habitat Country Programme since 14 January 2024. He acted the Head of Syria Programme ad interim since 21 September 2022.
During the period May 2021-September 2022, Mr. Takabayashi served as a Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements in UN-Habitat Syria.
Before joining UN-Habitat Syria, Mr. Takabayashi was Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements in UN-Habitat Myanmar (2019-2021) and UN-Habitat Afghanistan (2015-2019) working on urban development and resilience programmes with focus on sustainable urban development, community driven development, climate change and disaster risk management.
Before joining UN-Habitat, from 2001 to 2015, Mr. Takabayashi worked for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), served as Advisor for Capital Market, Deputy Director for Planning in Asia and the Pacific and ASEAN partnership, Deputy Director for Indonesia and several other positions managing technical cooperation and loan programmes and policy dialogue.
Mr. Takabayashi holds a Master’s Degree in Environment, Development and Policy from University of Sussex in UK, and a Master’s Degree in International Development Study from National Graduate Policy Institute in Japan.

Mr Joseph McCartan (Joe) is the Chief of the UN Mine Action Service Programme in Syria. Prior to this he was the FAO Regional Security Advisor for Asia and Pacific, a Civil–Military Co-ordination Officer with UNOCHA and spent 5 years as the Programme Manager for the OPCW Mission in Syria. He has also been, consecutively, a British Army Officer, an Exhumations Officer with the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, deployed by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Joint Military Commission and the International Military Advisory Team in Sudan before joining the UN Mine Action Service in Sudan as Chief of Staff and then Deputy Director. He has also deployed to Iraq as UNOPS Deputy Director before returning to UNMAS to establish the programme with the UN Interim Security Force, Abyei. He holds a BA (War) from King’s College, London and a MA (Security, Violence and Terrorism) from Queen’s University, Belfast.

Marianne Ward is Country Director for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Syria, a position she assumed in January 2025. In this role, she provides supervision, strategic guidance, and support for WFP operations in Syria.
Ms. Ward brings more than 32 years of senior leadership and field experience in programme management, having worked for the World Food Programme in Africa, the Middle East, and headquarters.
Prior to this appointment, Ms. Ward served as Deputy Country Director in Ukraine, where she was responsible for leading the design and implementation of WFP operations. Prior to this role, Ms. Ward was Deputy Country Director for Operations in Sudan (2020-2022), and Iraq (2018-2020).
Ms. Ward began her career with WFP in 1993. Since then, she served in key senior positions in emergency operations, humanitarian policy, and government donor relations. These include her role as Senior Regional Programme Officer for the East and Central Africa region, based in Kenya, and Executive Manager to the WFP Assistant Executive Director for the Operations Services Department, based in Rome.
Ms. Ward also led the process to reform the organization’s policies for locally recruited employees, and served as President of the WFP Professional Staff Association.
Ms. Ward holds a degree in political science and a Master’s Degree in Management.
An Italian and American national, Ms. Ward resides in Italy with her family.

Ms Meritxell Relaño Arana was appointed as UNICEF Representative to Syria in June 2025, bringing over two decades of senior leadership in international development, humanitarian response, strategic planning, and interagency coordination. Known for her unwavering commitment to equity and child rights, she has consistently delivered impactful results for children in some of the world’s most complex and fragile contexts. Her leadership is deep rooted in a strong belief that every child deserves a fair chance, no matter who they are or where they live.
Ms Relaño Arana has served as UNICEF Representative in the Central African Republic (2022–2025), Yemen (2017–2019), and Djibouti (2013–2015), as well as Deputy Representative in The Gambia (2009–2013).
Between 2019 to 2022, Ms Relaño Arana has also served as Deputy Director of UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), where she led on accountability to affected populations, cluster coordination, and UNICEF’s Humanitarian Review. Her early career focused on education and early childhood development, life skills and HIV prevention including roles with UNICEF in Mozambique, Panama, Colombia and East Timor.
Ms Relaño Arana holds a PhD in Political Science and Sociology from the University of the Basque Country (Universidad del País Vasco), a Master’s in Business Administration from ESEUNE Business School, and a degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Deusto.
She is a mother of two children, Jon and Maria, whose presence inspires her daily commitment to building a better world for every child.

Mr. Mohamed Anas Sabee started his new assignment as Syria Country Coordinator, starting 01 February 2025.



Prior to this assignment, Mr. Sabee was working as a Technical Officer, Skills and Employability in ILO - PROSPECTS for Jordan and Iraq.



Before joining the ILO, Mr. Sabee was working as a Senior TVET Consultant at UNICEF, Lebanon.



He previously worked as a Team leader and private sector link at GIZ, Lebanon where he was manging EU funded projects in the Education sector.

Prior to that he worked in Egypt in different roles, including Project Director at the Education Development Fund affiliated to the Egyptian Cabinet of Ministers; Project Director for an International project Co funded between Italy and Egypt under the Italian Cooperation Development.



Mr. Sabee holds a bachelor’s degree in civil Engineer from Alexandria University, Egypt (1993) in addition to several Diplomas in Education and an Executive MBA from Georgia State University, USA (2014).

Mr. Akram has over 24 years of experience in the UN system, governmental and non-governmental sectors in humanitarian and development affairs. Before joining UNOPS in 2014 as the Regional Advisor on the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks for Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and later as the Head of Programme for UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman, Mr. Akram worked in the United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office in New York. He also acted as the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office for Iraq while officiating the function of the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor for Iraq. Before Iraq, he worked as Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor for the United Nations Development Programme serving the Arab States Region in Cairo and the Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States in Bratislava. Prior to joining the UN system, Mr. Akram worked in the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme in Pakistan and Save the Children UK in Pakistan as well as Central Asia. Since January 2019, Mr. Akram has been the Director for the UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman

Paolo Fontani is the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut and Representative to Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic.
From March 2019 to May 2025, Mr. Fontani served as UNESCO Representative to Iraq, where he managed the Organization’s largest country portfolio globally, including the flagship initiative Revive the Spirit of Mosul, dedicated to the reconstruction of cultural heritage destroyed by conflict.
He previously served as Director of the UNESCO Office in Afghanistan and as Director of the Liaison Office in Brussels and Representative to the European Union. His professional background also includes leading education programmes in UNESCO Offices in Brazil and the Caribbean, as well as serving at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where he worked in the promotion of the right to education, including human rights and citizenship education.
Mr. Fontani holds a Master’s degree in Education and International Development from University College London, and a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Pisa.

Rawhi Afaghani, PhD, is the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Syria. With over 25 years of experience across the Middle East and North Africa, Rawhi is a seasoned development and conflict prevention expert, recognized for his strategic leadership in fragile and conflict-affected settings. He has led complex programming and built high-impact partnerships to address peacebuilding, governance, and resilience challenges in transitional contexts.

Previously, Rawhi served as Deputy Resident Representative (a.i.) in Egypt, where he led strategic programme coordination and donor relations, and as Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Programme Advisor at the UNDP Regional Hub for the Arab States, delivering policy and technical advisory services to 18 country offices. He has also led national reconciliation and transitional justice initiatives in Libya and Yemen, advancing political dialogue and supporting local peace processes through innovative programming and strategic communications.

In his current role, Rawhi provides strategic direction to UNDP’s country programme in Syria, aligning development initiatives with national priorities and the 2030 Agenda. He plays a key leadership role in forging partnerships with host institutions, development partners, and donors to ensure programmatic coherence, effective resource mobilization, and impactful delivery. His portfolio spans inclusive governance, local development, and early recovery programming in one of the world’s most complex operational environments.

Rawhi holds a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and is fluent in Arabic, English, and Czech. His expertise lies in transitional governance, strategic planning, national dialogue processes, and building resilient institutions in crisis-affected settings.

Saleh TEMBO a Ugandan national, has been the Chief Security Advisor for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security in Syria since 7 April 2024.
Mr. Tembo started his career with the Uganda Police Force 1992 - 2001.
He joined UNHCR in 2001 as a Field Safety Adviser, 2001 - 04 in Sierra Leone and in Tanzania 2004 - 05.
His professional work experience with UNDSS spans 20 years in different countries and positions: Afghanistan, Herat, as a Field Security Coordination Officer 2006 - 08 and Kabul as an Operations Officer 2008 –
09; UN Security Advisor Malawi 2009 -11; Deputy Security Adviser Darfur, Sudan 2011-15; Dadaab, Kenya, as a Field Security Coordination Officer 2015 – 20; Security Advisor Philippine and Micronesia from 2020 – 24;
Currently as a Chief Security Adviser Syria April 2024 - present.
Mr. Tembo has MA in Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester in UK, in addition to a BSC in Arts Degree from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Born in 1965, Mr. Tembo is married and has 4 children. He likes hiking and travelling to the countryside.

Mr. Sami Dimassi joined UNEP Regional Office for West Asia as Director and Regional Representative in 2018. He held several senior positions in the UN System, such as Senior ICT Advisor, Head of the Innovation Branch, Deputy Director of the Science division, Director of Private Sector Engagement, and Acting Director of Corporate Services all within UNEP. A Lebanese-Canadian national, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Ottawa University and a master’s in Management from Waterloo University in Canada.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Geir O. Pedersen appointed Mr. Tareq Talahma of Palestine as Head of Damascus Office for the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria. He started his work on 1 March 2024.

Mr. Talahma has a wealth of experience and expertise in political, humanitarian and development affairs with more than 20 years of service with the United Nations, including as OCHA Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa region, and acting Director for Operation and Advocacy based in New York.

Throughout his career, Mr. Talahma has demonstrated his commitment to serving in complex and fragile operations in countries such as Afghanistan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. He has extensive experience in crisis management, negotiations and mediation, programming and planning in turbulent contexts, as well as the humanitarian-development nexus.

Mr. Talahma holds a degree in Environmental Studies from York University in Canada.

He is fluent in Arabic and English.

Mr Tawfiq El-Zabri took on the role of IFAD’s Country Director for Syria in October 2025. Prior to this assignment, Tawfiq managed IFAD country programmes in Yemen, Iraq, nine Pacific Island countries, Philippines, Pakistan, Jordan, Somalia and the occupied Palestinian territories. Beyond these assignments, Tawfiq holds a global development practitioner experience covering more than 35 countries in the Middle East, Horn of Africa, Eastern Europe, South and East Asia and the Pacific region; and engagements with the World Bank, IMF and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Areas of expertise include rural development, agricultural commodity chains and agricultural advisory services, inclusive financial services, migration and remittances, organisational capacity building and adaptive management in service delivery projects. Tawfiq is based in Cairo, at IFAD’s multi-country office for the Near East and North Africa.

Yeran Kejijian (Lebanon) took up her appointment as the Country Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Lebanon in 2017. She has contributed to the gradual expansion of the programme in Lebanon making it one of the largest in the Arab States and the MENA region in terms of number of mobilised UN Volunteers. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School of Heriot-Watt University, Scotland. She completed her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Université Saint Joseph (Beirut).