Dr. Peter Salama (RIP)
See the collection of photos of Peter Salama so far received. If you have others to add, please let us know.
Tributes:
UNICEF
“The entire UNICEF family is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Dr. Peter Salama from a heart attack in Geneva.
“Pete was a tireless advocate for children, a committed humanitarian and a highly respected professional.
“He was an inspiring and caring leader across a number of roles within UNICEF, as Chief of Health and Nutrition in Afghanistan, as Representative in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, as Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan, as Global Chief of Health and HIV and as Global Ebola Coordinator in New York.
“Pete left UNICEF in 2016 to join the World Health Organization as Executive Director of its Health Emergencies Programme before becoming Executive Director of its Division of Universal Health Coverage - Life Course.
“All of us who had the privilege of working with Pete knew that he embodied the spirit of UNICEF like few others.
“Our most heartfelt condolences to his wife, his three children and all his friends and colleagues around the world. He will be sorely missed.”
Henrietta Fore to UNICEF Staff
Dear Colleagues,
Today, the UNICEF family is united in grief, as we learn of the sudden death of our friend and former colleague Dr. Peter Salama from a heart attack in Geneva.
Globally, Pete was known as a giant of public health – an influential leader and visionary whose work saved lives around the world.
But Pete was also, first and foremost, a champion of children. Throughout his years at UNICEF, his colleagues came to know his passion for the health of children.
He was an inspiring and caring leader across a number of roles, in development and humanitarian contexts alike: as Chief of Health and Nutrition in Afghanistan, Representative in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan, Chief of Health and HIV and Global Ebola Coordinator in New York.
In 2016, Pete carried his commitment to children to the World Health Organization — first as Executive Director of its Health Emergencies Programme, then as Executive Director of its Division of Universal Health Coverage - Life Course.
But whatever his role, and wherever his career took him, one over-riding quality remained constant: Pete’s commitment to serving children.
Those of you who had the privilege of working with Pete knew that he embodied the spirit of UNICEF. Like few others, he fused his technical brilliance with a humane, caring spirit that motivated and inspired staff even in the most difficult circumstances.
But whatever his role, and wherever his career took him, one over-riding quality remained constant: Pete’s commitment to serving children.
Those of you who had the privilege of working with Pete knew that he embodied the spirit of UNICEF. Like few others, he fused his technical brilliance with a humane, caring spirit that motivated and inspired staff even in the most difficult circumstances.
In the days and weeks to come, let us remember the example of service that Pete set.
And let us do our best to live up to his example in our own work.
My deepest condolences to his wife Annalies and his three sons Luca, Kai and Mathis -- and to all those who knew, worked with, and loved him.
Henrietta H. Fore
Executive Director, UNICEF
Salima Haloui
Another huge loss for our community while we remember another Giant : M Jim GRANT.
RIP Dr Salama at only 51.
Salima Haloui from Rabat
Gianni Murzi
Shocking news of Peter Salama suddenly passing away. This is a huge loss for the UN.
WHO
The World Health Organization announces with deep sadness the sudden death of Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director of WHO’s Division for Universal Health Coverage – Life Course.
The Organization extends its most profound sympathies and condolences to Dr Salama’s family, friends and colleagues. He was 51 and leaves behind his wife and three children.
“Pete embodied everything that is best about WHO and the United Nations – professionalism, commitment and compassion,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our hearts are broken.”
Thank you Pete for all you did to ensure child survival in Africa !
Esther
Nigel Fisher
Peter's untimely passing is a profound loss to us all: of a consummate development professional and leader, a powerful intellect and a wonderful human being.
Together and separately, Peter and Annalies have contributed significantly to international development, particularly in the health and nutrition fields, to crisis management and humanitarian action, to human rights and child rights more specifically - all of this with intellectual rigour, yet always with genuine warmth and humanity.
My sincerest condolences to Annalies and to her children.
We will all will miss Peter.
David S. Bassiouni
Dear Colleagues
The sad news of the loss of Dr Peter Sama took me by complete surprise! May his soul rest in eternal peace.I never had the opportunity to serve together with Peter but worked very closely as a colleague, with his bereaved beloved wife Annalise in EMOPS.To her and her family and all colleagues and friends go my heart-felt condolences and may God in His infinite mercy shower upon them the fortitude to withstand the loss.Stay in the faith.
Sincerely,
Ali Asghar
Very sorry to hear this sad news. May God bless his soul Rest In Peace and give courage to his family to bear this huge loss.
Best regards. Ali
Mohammad B. Jalloh
So sad to hear about this great loss. Peter was a very pleasant colleague to work with. May the good Lord grant him eternal rest.
Condolences to his family and friends.
God bless us all.
MBJ
Shocking.... a great loss for the UN and the whole humanity... may his soul rest in eternal peace.... warmest condolences to his dear family.
And let us do our best to live up to his example in our own work.
My deepest condolences to his wife Annalies and his three sons Luca, Kai and Mathis -- and to all those who knew, worked with, and loved him.
Henrietta H. Fore
Executive Director, UNICEF
Salima Haloui
Another huge loss for our community while we remember another Giant : M Jim GRANT.
RIP Dr Salama at only 51.
Salima Haloui from Rabat
Gianni Murzi
Shocking news of Peter Salama suddenly passing away. This is a huge loss for the UN.
WHO
The World Health Organization announces with deep sadness the sudden death of Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director of WHO’s Division for Universal Health Coverage – Life Course.
The Organization extends its most profound sympathies and condolences to Dr Salama’s family, friends and colleagues. He was 51 and leaves behind his wife and three children.
“Pete embodied everything that is best about WHO and the United Nations – professionalism, commitment and compassion,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our hearts are broken.”
Dr Salama, a medical epidemiologist from Australia, joined WHO in 2016 as Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies programme, which he led until 2019.
Before joining WHO, Dr Salama was Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at UNICEF, an organization that he joined in 2002.
Dr Salama led UNICEF’s global response to Ebola, served as its Representative in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe (2009–2015), Chief of Global Health and Principal Advisor on HIV/AIDS in New York (2004–2009), and Chief of Health and Nutrition in Afghanistan (2002–2004).
He had also worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and Concern Worldwide in several countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Kul Gautam
It is with deep shock and heavy heart that I just learned of the sudden demise of our dear friend, Pete Salama, who passed away last night in Geneva.
He was only 51 years old in good health and apparently collapsed while exercising on a treadmill.
I had known him for many decades, when he served with UNICEF in Afghanistan, in Programme Division at NYHQ, As UNICEF Rep in multiple countries in Africa and as Regional Director MENA before moving to WHO.
I worked very closely with Pete until very recently while I served as the UN Secretary-General's Independent Accountability Panel for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health.
He was as you will recall a brilliant professional and a warm human being. He was among the most trusted and respected top deputies to WHO DG's Tedros and Margaret Chan.
Please find below a quick message to all WHO staff from Dr. Tedros.
Pete was a family man and cared deeply about his wife and three boys. I wish Annalies (also a former UNICEF colleague) and her sons find strength and comfort in the memories of their cherished moments together as they mourn this devastating loss.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
Dr. Tedros
Dear colleagues,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director, Universal Health Coverage – Life Course. Pete died suddenly overnight. He was 51 and leaves behind his wife, Annalies, and three children.
Pete joined WHO in 2016 as Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies programme. Before joining WHO he was UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. He embodied everything that is best about WHO and the United Nations – professionalism, commitment and compassion.
We will issue more information in the coming days about plans to honour Pete’s memory and legacy.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with Pete’s family, friends and colleagues.
Sincerely,
Tedros
Ted Chaiban
I am sorry to write to you on a Friday with some very sad news. Our colleague and friend and former MENA Regional Director, Peter Salama, has passed away. He was on a treadmill exercising and collapsed.
I have written to Annalies to express my heartfelt condolences to her and the boys. This will be devastating.
Peter was a special colleague and person who did so much with his life.
Luzma Montano
Heartbroken. This is a terrible loss for our global health community and people around the world served through his work. Pete was such a devoted and smart professional and his conviviality and wittiness made it such a pleasure for me to work with him. My deepest condolences to Analies, their young children, his family, and friends. It's a terribly sad day today...
Luzma
Westport, CT. USA
Esther Guluma
Before joining WHO, Dr Salama was Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at UNICEF, an organization that he joined in 2002.
Dr Salama led UNICEF’s global response to Ebola, served as its Representative in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe (2009–2015), Chief of Global Health and Principal Advisor on HIV/AIDS in New York (2004–2009), and Chief of Health and Nutrition in Afghanistan (2002–2004).
He had also worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and Concern Worldwide in several countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Kul Gautam
It is with deep shock and heavy heart that I just learned of the sudden demise of our dear friend, Pete Salama, who passed away last night in Geneva.
He was only 51 years old in good health and apparently collapsed while exercising on a treadmill.
I had known him for many decades, when he served with UNICEF in Afghanistan, in Programme Division at NYHQ, As UNICEF Rep in multiple countries in Africa and as Regional Director MENA before moving to WHO.
I worked very closely with Pete until very recently while I served as the UN Secretary-General's Independent Accountability Panel for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health.
He was as you will recall a brilliant professional and a warm human being. He was among the most trusted and respected top deputies to WHO DG's Tedros and Margaret Chan.
Please find below a quick message to all WHO staff from Dr. Tedros.
Pete was a family man and cared deeply about his wife and three boys. I wish Annalies (also a former UNICEF colleague) and her sons find strength and comfort in the memories of their cherished moments together as they mourn this devastating loss.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
Dr. Tedros
Dear colleagues,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director, Universal Health Coverage – Life Course. Pete died suddenly overnight. He was 51 and leaves behind his wife, Annalies, and three children.
Pete joined WHO in 2016 as Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies programme. Before joining WHO he was UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. He embodied everything that is best about WHO and the United Nations – professionalism, commitment and compassion.
We will issue more information in the coming days about plans to honour Pete’s memory and legacy.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with Pete’s family, friends and colleagues.
Sincerely,
Tedros
Ted Chaiban
I am sorry to write to you on a Friday with some very sad news. Our colleague and friend and former MENA Regional Director, Peter Salama, has passed away. He was on a treadmill exercising and collapsed.
I have written to Annalies to express my heartfelt condolences to her and the boys. This will be devastating.
Peter was a special colleague and person who did so much with his life.
Luzma Montano
Heartbroken. This is a terrible loss for our global health community and people around the world served through his work. Pete was such a devoted and smart professional and his conviviality and wittiness made it such a pleasure for me to work with him. My deepest condolences to Analies, their young children, his family, and friends. It's a terribly sad day today...
Luzma
Westport, CT. USA
Esther Guluma
I knew Pete in my capacity as UNICEF Regional Director. We developed a strong collaboration between WCAR and ESAR in implementing child survival. Pete was so helpful. His intelligence and thorough knowledge were appreciated by all. He was a rising star at the time and I was not at all surprised to see him getting into posts with more and more responsibilities.
So, so sad. His contributions to UNICEF and to WHO were immense. A brilliant man. My condolences to the family.
So, so sad. His contributions to UNICEF and to WHO were immense. A brilliant man. My condolences to the family.
Thank you Pete for all you did to ensure child survival in Africa !
Esther
Nigel Fisher
Peter's untimely passing is a profound loss to us all: of a consummate development professional and leader, a powerful intellect and a wonderful human being.
Together and separately, Peter and Annalies have contributed significantly to international development, particularly in the health and nutrition fields, to crisis management and humanitarian action, to human rights and child rights more specifically - all of this with intellectual rigour, yet always with genuine warmth and humanity.
My sincerest condolences to Annalies and to her children.
We will all will miss Peter.
David S. Bassiouni
Dear Colleagues
The sad news of the loss of Dr Peter Sama took me by complete surprise! May his soul rest in eternal peace.I never had the opportunity to serve together with Peter but worked very closely as a colleague, with his bereaved beloved wife Annalise in EMOPS.To her and her family and all colleagues and friends go my heart-felt condolences and may God in His infinite mercy shower upon them the fortitude to withstand the loss.Stay in the faith.
Sincerely,
David
Very sorry to hear this sad news. May God bless his soul Rest In Peace and give courage to his family to bear this huge loss.
Best regards. Ali
Mohammad B. Jalloh
So sad to hear about this great loss. Peter was a very pleasant colleague to work with. May the good Lord grant him eternal rest.
Condolences to his family and friends.
God bless us all.
MBJ
Basim Kawash
Shocking.... a great loss for the UN and the whole humanity... may his soul rest in eternal peace.... warmest condolences to his dear family.
Basim Kawash
Nuzhat Shahzadi
So, so, sorry to hear that. RIP Dr Salama. My condolences to the family and loved ones.
Shahida Azfar
What terrible , shocking and sad news ! A tremendous loss to the global health community and to his family, friends and colleagues! May his soul RIP and my heartfelt condolences to his family.
Narinder Sharma
Very sorry to know about the demise of Peter Salama. God bless his soul and give courage to the family. RIP Dr. Salama
Narinder
Barbara Bentein
Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of my friend, former colleague and supervisor Pete Salama, while being in Ethiopia where all colleagues are in shock and mourn him. He was a wise, passionate and very smart colleague and a wonderful friend and boss. Such a painful loss.
May he rest in peace.
Please pass on my very sincere condolences to his family.
So, so, sorry to hear that. RIP Dr Salama. My condolences to the family and loved ones.
Shahida Azfar
What terrible , shocking and sad news ! A tremendous loss to the global health community and to his family, friends and colleagues! May his soul RIP and my heartfelt condolences to his family.
Narinder Sharma
Very sorry to know about the demise of Peter Salama. God bless his soul and give courage to the family. RIP Dr. Salama
Narinder
Barbara Bentein
Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of my friend, former colleague and supervisor Pete Salama, while being in Ethiopia where all colleagues are in shock and mourn him. He was a wise, passionate and very smart colleague and a wonderful friend and boss. Such a painful loss.
May he rest in peace.
Please pass on my very sincere condolences to his family.
Barbara Bentein
May the Lord Rest Him in Peace and Eternal Light and give the family the strength to navigate these difficult times.
Festo Kavishe
Rafah Aziz
Sad and shocking news Rafah
Savita Varde-Naqvi
Very sad news of Dr. Peter Salama's loss. Based in WCARO, I learnt a lot as a member of his Ebola global response team for West Africa. May he rest in peace and nay his family and loved ones have the strength to cope with the loss.
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