Hossam Elsharkawi leads the efforts of the IFRC in the Middle East and North Africa.  Elsharkawi was formerly Vice President of Health in Emergencies, Learning and Innovation at the Canadian Red Cross, where he led the preparedness and response for complex humanitarian emergencies. He has also previously worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop guidance for medical teams responding to health emergencies in armed conflict and insecure environments. Elsharkawi received his PhD in Health Management/Public Health from City, University of London. Alongside his role at the IFRC, he is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and guest faculty at McGill where he teaches disaster response and health care in complex humanitarian crises.