Article shared by Sharif Alam
- Sigrid Kaag, an experienced Dutch diplomat, has been appointed the UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza starting January 8th. She will be tasked with coordinating international emergency aid to Gaza and establishing a UN mechanism to speed up aid deliveries.
- Kaag has worked for the UN for decades in high-ranking roles, including leading the mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpile.
- Kaag was praised by international diplomats for her work helping destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles, which earned her the nickname "Iron Lady." One Syrian diplomat reportedly once told Agence France-Presse news agency that "she never stops working and practically never sleeps."
And She is not likely to get much sleep on her new job, either.
- Some in Israel have criticized Kaag's appointment, citing her past criticism of Israeli policies and settlements. Israel has a strained relationship with the UN.
- Kaag will need to use her diplomatic skills to facilitate more emergency aid for Gaza. Her past experience and reputation suggest she has the capacity to take on this very difficult coordinating role.
I enjoyed working with Sigrid when she was RD in MENARO. She was indeed a very dedicated and a hard worker.
ReplyDeleteI join Mahendra in his opinion about Sigrid and add how a great mother she is. I was her executive assistance in MENARO and saw how much she cared for both her job and her family.
ReplyDeleteAs our colleague gets ready to assume her post, here is a New Year's Day joke to help her in the daunting mission.
ReplyDeleteMoses, Jesus and Mohamed were discussing how to resolve the Palestine issue.
Moses said, "we must encourage the Palestinians to go to neighboring countries so the Jews can have their own country",
Mohamed said," let us be fair and divide the land into two parts so each has an equal country";
Jesus smiled and said," I will talk to God, my Father, and will make all 6.5 million Jews and 6.5 million Moslems convert to Christianity so they do not argue anymore".
Both Moses and Mohamed were not amused and replied, "This is no time for your Miracles, Jesus !".