GENEVA — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Somali humanitarian expert Mohamed Yahya as Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN said on Friday.
The appointment places Yahya among the senior leadership of the UN’s humanitarian architecture, which is responsible for coordinating global responses to emergencies, including armed conflicts, climate-related disasters, displacement crises, and food insecurity affecting millions of people worldwide.
In his new role, Yahya will work under the Emergency Relief Coordinator to help oversee the international humanitarian system, ensuring more effective coordination among UN agencies, international NGOs, and national governments. He is expected to contribute to strengthening operational response mechanisms, improving funding efficiency, and enhancing the speed and delivery of life-saving assistance in complex emergencies.
OCHA is the central UN body mandated to coordinate humanitarian action, mobilize and manage global emergency responses, and advocate for the rights and protection of people affected by crises. The agency operates in some of the world’s most severe humanitarian settings, including conflict zones and disaster-hit regions.
Yahya brings extensive experience in humanitarian affairs and international development, having worked across multiple contexts focused on emergency coordination, crisis response, and institutional reform within the UN system.
The Federal Government of Somalia welcomed the appointment, describing it as a significant national milestone and a reflection of Somalia’s increasing participation and visibility within international organizations.
Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, congratulated Yahya, calling the appointment “well deserved” and expressing national pride in seeing a Somali national assume a senior leadership position within the United Nations.
He added that Somalia expects Yahya’s experience and leadership to further strengthen OCHA’s ability to respond to global humanitarian crises and improve support for vulnerable populations.
The appointment has been widely viewed as part of a broader trend of growing recognition of Somali professionals in international institutions, particularly in humanitarian and governance roles, at a time when global humanitarian needs continue to rise due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.
