The UN spokesperson explains that Griffiths will continue in his role until the end of June to allow a “smooth transition” to a replacement who has yet to be named.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths, who has played a significant role in pushing for relief to Gaza and previously supervised operations in Yemen, is stepping down due to illness, the global organization announced Monday.
Griffiths, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency assistance coordinator, “has informed the secretary-general of his intention to step down for health reasons,” according to UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Haq added that Griffiths will continue in his role until the end of June to allow a “smooth transition” to a replacement who has yet to be named.
Griffiths, a British attorney, has repeatedly urged “Israel” to let humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip while it wages a brutal war on Palestinians, killing over 32,000 Palestinians and injuring over 74,694 more.
Last month, he advised the occupation against an assault on Rafah, where over 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge, saying that such an operation “could lead to a slaughter.”
Griffiths formerly served as the UN Special Envoy for Yemen and as a Syria advisor. He has also worked for international humanitarian groups, including UNICEF, Save the Children, and ActionAid.
Source: AlMayadeen
