Mary Racelis commented on "Missing You: Victor Soler-Sala, RIP : Sad news from his family"
12 hours ago
Oh no, not Victor! We spent many hours at meetings of Regional Directors over the years. But the best part, I think we both agreed, was when the post-dinner session would include dancing. Victor and I inevitably connected on an elegant tango, he being the superb leader that enabled the partner in me to appear like I was a pro. No question when it was time to twirl, prance left or right, and end with that dramatic dip.
He was a dashing figure totally committed to UNICEF and improving children's lives. We shall miss him greatly.
Mary Racelis
He was a dashing figure totally committed to UNICEF and improving children's lives. We shall miss him greatly.
Mary Racelis
16 hours ago
So sad to learn about the passing away of a dear friend and a very dedicated humanitarian who also showed good diplomatic skills in later positions. We did some real good work together on CRC in Geneva and on obtaining support of Israel for vaccinating Palestinian children. When I joined UNICEF he and I were among the first small team of so called development planners. Bless his soul and may he rest in eternal peace. I would like to send my condolences to his close kins. Baquer
20 hours ago
Very good! But it doesn’t require ‘e-governance’ to go paperless – just a change in organizational skills, of which I believe the UNICEF crowd has many, or not? I know people who still print their bank statements … “just in case the digital files get lost”.
The key for going paperless is to ensure your data is well backed-up, either in the cloud or on a separate device of your choosing...
The key for going paperless is to ensure your data is well backed-up, either in the cloud or on a separate device of your choosing...
21 hours ago
I was so so saddened to hear this. However I know he is now with his beloved wife Suzanne.
Victor was special and unique both professionally and personally. We kept in touch on a regular basis and when I went to Barcelona a number of years ago after we both had retired and I was a key note speaker at a conference , we had the opportunity to meet in person again.
On a lighter note, Victor was the person who convinced me to try to eat sushi and sashimi. We had lunch together in 1986 at a Japanese restaurant in New York in 1986. Up till then I had not tried sushi and sashimi when I went to a Japanese restaurant, and had always other Japanese specialities, but Victor convinced me to try at least a little bit and I loved it.
Victor was admired and respected by so many and will sorely be missed by all of us having had the opportunity to know him and work with him. RIP
Victor was special and unique both professionally and personally. We kept in touch on a regular basis and when I went to Barcelona a number of years ago after we both had retired and I was a key note speaker at a conference , we had the opportunity to meet in person again.
On a lighter note, Victor was the person who convinced me to try to eat sushi and sashimi. We had lunch together in 1986 at a Japanese restaurant in New York in 1986. Up till then I had not tried sushi and sashimi when I went to a Japanese restaurant, and had always other Japanese specialities, but Victor convinced me to try at least a little bit and I loved it.
Victor was admired and respected by so many and will sorely be missed by all of us having had the opportunity to know him and work with him. RIP
Yesterday
A gentleman (and a name one never forget). Victor S-S was one of those who drove the "golden age" of UNICEF in the 80s and 90s. A life well spent and a life contributing to humanity.
Yesterday
Beautiful photos and amazing nature. Wished I could still visit Sri Lanka.
Apr 17, 2023
The will to change their lives and better the future of their families is key to the success reported in Bangladesh- I am paraphrasing what Nobel laureates Abhijit Bannerjee and Esther Dufflo stated in their lecture in Bangalore , when they presented their research on how progress is achieved by communities and quoted the example of Bangladesh - The Grameen Bank’s initiative had set the momentum but the people moved forward through motivation, determination and hard work.
Congratulations to Bangladesh!!
Sree
Congratulations to Bangladesh!!
Sree
Apr 17, 2023
Lovely to hear from you all. Miss you all
Rohini
Rohini
Sikander Khan commented on "Valencia Mini Reunion, Oscar Fernandez"
Apr 16, 2023
Many thanks Valencian friends for such a warm welcome and a lovely day! Next round is on me.
Dear Mary, you are very kind!
Fond memories of the time in Amman and of the lovely friends and colleagues like yourself. Stay well - SK
Dear Mary, you are very kind!
Fond memories of the time in Amman and of the lovely friends and colleagues like yourself. Stay well - SK
Sikander Khan commented on "NGOs ask USAID to push WFP and UNICEF to end their squabbles over RUTFs : Teresa Welsh / Devex Dish"
Apr 16, 2023
During our response to the Somalia famine, we had a local agreement/ understanding that UNICEF will respond to severe and acute malnutrition while WFP will address the needs to tackle chronic malnutrition. We did have a moment when we had difficulties with the supply chain since both WFP & ourselves had the same supplier who could not meet the requirements of both agencies!
Some years prior to that, there were capacity issues in Chad and WFP took over the full RUTF portfolio. In the Somalia situation, we also established a core three agency (WFP, FAO & UNICEF) resilience group to promote and introduce resilience investment response programmes. I do think there can be universal formula to this one.
Some years prior to that, there were capacity issues in Chad and WFP took over the full RUTF portfolio. In the Somalia situation, we also established a core three agency (WFP, FAO & UNICEF) resilience group to promote and introduce resilience investment response programmes. I do think there can be universal formula to this one.
Apr 16, 2023
In the first four years of OLS (Operation Lifeline Sudan), everything except bags of maize were stored in one single storage, including the BP5 (a predecessor of RUTF), no matter who paid for it. Every NGO or UN worker inside Sudan could order anything from the warehouse. It was the UN’s responsibility to ensure that the warehouse didn’t run out of BP5, and to take it to the places where it was needed, and where it was used by the NGOs on the ground. This was long time before the so called UN reform raised its ugly head and forced complicated coordination mechanism onto the UN agencies, which anyway don’t seem to prevent or resolve the ongoing squabble between UNICEF and WFP about who is allowed to purchase RUTF and hence receive the corresponding budgets.
Apr 16, 2023
After three generations of independence this happens - so sad, so sad.
Apr 16, 2023
In my experience, WFP are generally professional and effective, more and more so, as well as increasingly thoughtful and strategic in their work. I was impressed with them even before I joined UNICEF in the mid-80s. If something needs to be worked out to get RUTF to more malnourished children, then please UNICEF take the lead to get it worked out forthwith. WFP is surely not an obstacle, and surely a capable ally.
Apr 16, 2023
I can visualise your writings, Nuzhat. They need no further illustration in colours. And Rohini, you took us on a spectacular journey through Sri Lanka this week. Hope to make it there sometime. Perhaps it will be great to have our Reunion in Sri Lanka!
Apr 16, 2023
Hiya Rohini, thank you for sharing these lovely photos. Cheers.
Apr 16, 2023
All thanks to China!
Apr 16, 2023
Why do so many of us not live in our beautiful, lovely countries?
Apr 16, 2023
Rohini, Thanks for sharing the photos- Guru and I enjoyed being in Srilanka a few years ago- apart from the flora and fauna, the beaches, the tea plantations we found the historic places especially the Buddhist places of worship very inspiring. Nice to see you, Luke, Anoja and Leo in your reunion picture- it is a lovely country and your pictures illustrate that.
Sree
Sree
Apr 16, 2023
Beautiful photos Rohini of a beautiful country.I have visited Sri Lanka many times including for a fabulous XUNICEF reunion organized by Anoja.
Asadur Rahman commented on "A nostalgic journey home (Sri Lanka) : Rohini DeSilva"
Apr 15, 2023
Many thanks for sharing photos of your beautiful country dear Rohini. I had the opportunities to work as head of unicef office in Galle and Batticoa from August 2005 to May 2013. Amazing country and people, I thoroughly enjoyed my post Tsunami rehabilitation work.
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Afghanistan: Taliban Claim that There are no Obstacles for UN work : ABC News"
Apr 15, 2023
40-45 years ago when young Afghan boys were being separated from their families and large number of them were taken to Pakistani Madrasas for so called "training", "education", "brainwashing" some of us knew that was a bad news. But we didn't know how bad? After all who could say anything, or criticise "Islamic teaching"? Now we see the results. Those young boys are todays hardline taliban leaders and they are controlling. Anti women and suspicious of Afghan women because they had no women, no mothers in their lives. They were pumped with lies about women, about Afghan women by their Pakistani so called teachers and Imams The UN is blamed, UNICEF is blamed, we are blamed for not raising our voices. It is now too late, I am afraid to say!!! Gulbadan
Apr 15, 2023
"How much have we learned? How wiser have we beome? I am afraid, my answer is two words. Not much!
Gulbadan
Gulbadan
Apr 15, 2023
Great to hear from you and your country, Rohini. Best, Sergio Guimaraes
Apr 15, 2023
The polite discussions will continue among the concerned authorities, who are in minority, work continues on all fronts of the AI which generates huge sums of profits. The tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Apple would not give a dime about social issues, or public health, or damages to societies. The Chat GPT has even excelled grilling American Medical Licensing examination with flying colours!
We all know that the mainstream media is not neutral and is owned by or supported by the rich and corrupt, including unwavering support even to the war machines. If there is no moratorium on further development works in the AI industry, (yes, it is an industry not scientific development) human species are in for an advanced extinction.
We all know that the mainstream media is not neutral and is owned by or supported by the rich and corrupt, including unwavering support even to the war machines. If there is no moratorium on further development works in the AI industry, (yes, it is an industry not scientific development) human species are in for an advanced extinction.
Apr 15, 2023
We used to look down on WFP. They were the truck driver that fed people. We were the intellectuals who developed integrated nutritional frameworks that fed on one. Perhaps we should get off our high horses and let them feed children.
Apr 15, 2023
Pragmatic, honest assessments? I am still skeptical. We have made many mistakes in Afghanistan. How much have we learnt? How much wiser have we become?
Amen!
Amen!
Apr 15, 2023
I recently contacted my friends/colleagues in Afghanistan. As of now, most female national staff are working from home. UNICEF's position––it's the their choice to attend the office/s physically but nothing about providing protection to female staff should they decide to come to the office/s.
I am not aware whether UNICEF has yet negotiated about the safety issues of female national staff with the Talibans. I may have missed any strong statements from UNICEF or about any strategies we have adopted to navigate through this extremely disturbing situation. (Apologies if I sound doubtful).
Are we still following the "lukewarm" path? . . . I would like to be educated about UNICEF's current position. Too many lives have been lost, and broken in the line of duty.
Thanks
I am not aware whether UNICEF has yet negotiated about the safety issues of female national staff with the Talibans. I may have missed any strong statements from UNICEF or about any strategies we have adopted to navigate through this extremely disturbing situation. (Apologies if I sound doubtful).
Are we still following the "lukewarm" path? . . . I would like to be educated about UNICEF's current position. Too many lives have been lost, and broken in the line of duty.
Thanks
Apr 15, 2023
Many thanks for sharing the stunning photos, Rohini!
I loved my time in Sri Lanka––felt nostalgic as I looked at the photos. I miss the streets of Colombo the night places.
It's lovely to see Anoja and Soma. I went to Bhutan at Anoja's invitation to work with her team. She was kind enough to take me with her to visit some historical places in Sri Lanka.
Soma and I were in ROSA together. Both are good friends.
All these happened so many years ago!
I loved my time in Sri Lanka––felt nostalgic as I looked at the photos. I miss the streets of Colombo the night places.
It's lovely to see Anoja and Soma. I went to Bhutan at Anoja's invitation to work with her team. She was kind enough to take me with her to visit some historical places in Sri Lanka.
Soma and I were in ROSA together. Both are good friends.
All these happened so many years ago!
Apr 15, 2023
Very impressive, Gautam! I like the vibrant colors you have used.
I used to do a lot of pencil illustrations––once upon a time . . .
I used to do a lot of pencil illustrations––once upon a time . . .
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Victor was a noble soul. Will be remember by me and many for his love of life and many accomplishments. bilge
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