Shahida Azfar : Manou

Shahida Azfar

Dear Habib, Fouad, Shahnaz and other friends and colleagues of Manou
I too am deeply shocked and grieved to learn of Manou’s passing . I have no words to add to what you all have written about him to express all that Manou was to UNICEF And more. I want to acknowledge my lifelong debt to him.

He recruited me in UNICEF as a national officer in Pakistan in 1975 and mentored and guided me as my Rep to help me find my bearing in UNICEF . At a time when UNICEF Pakistan was dominated by men who had been there for ages and were not Welcoming women Manou made sure the few of us who were there had his full support. He sent many of us for training overseas and encouraged our full participation and contributions. 

His strategic vision , leadership qualities and interpersonal skills were par excellence and won him many friends in Pakistan in government and outside who remember him most fondly to this day Never the one to shy away from difficult situations he managed a very cantankerous staff association and individual staff both national and International most skillfully. Having recruited a particularly nasty senior national he convinced him to resign before he left and even drafted his resignation letter , not wanting to pass on the problem to his successor.

I also had the good fortune of working with Manou as Director Program Division when I moved to Hq as Program officer in Africa Section under Fouad’s leadership. With Fouad and Manou, the Africa Section went from strength to strength tackling complex emergency countries in Africa suffering simultaneously from war, drought , famine and economic, political and social breakdowns .There too one saw the breath and depth of Manou’s professional and personal numerous qualities with support to staff and stand up to seniors whenever needed . 

Last but not least one was able to enjoy friendship with both Manou and his beautiful wife Farideh and enjoy their hospitality both in Islamabad and NewYork . With Manou and Farideh , Fouad and Nadia, Habib and Hanan , Shahnaz , Nuhad and some other chosen ones from time to time we had a culinary group which regularly explored different cuisines of New York fabulous restaurants organized by the national . That was the fun part of hq assignment which was envied by all not part of it!!! 

Manou was larger than life as we all know and will continue to live in our hearts and thoughts for ever more!! May he rest in eternal peace and enjoy the fruits of
heaven . My heartfelt condolences to Farideh, Abdi and Ardeshir and
Warmest regards to the wonderful UNICEF colleagues.

Shahida