138-706: During the Israel–Hamas war , the Kamal Adwan Hospital , a hospital in Beit Lahia , Gaza Strip , Palestine , has been besieged multiple times by the Israel Defense Forces . Hamas has been accused of using hospitals as shields and bases to conduct attacks against Israel. The Kamal Adwan Hospital was a site of conflict during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war following the Israeli invasion of
276-434: A year old baby, his 4-year-old brother and their mother , 13 women aged 18–39, and 85 men, some over 80. Thousands of Palestinians remain in administrative detention . A Hamas official said that after the exchange, the only remaining hostages were civilian men and soldiers, and refused to exchange them until "all our prisoners are freed" and there is a ceasefire. US National Security Advisor Kirby said "Hamas agreed to allow
414-470: A child he was very aware of the suffering and death caused by malaria . His younger brother died at the age of three or four years, possibly of a preventable disease like measles , which Tedros often discusses as a defining personal experience in regards to the need for global healthcare. In 1986, Tedros received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Asmara . He studied at
552-549: A lift and we can now start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, WHO is concerned that there is a growing perception that the COVID-19 pandemic is over". In May 2022, Tedros commented that the zero-COVID strategy is no longer considered sustainable based on "the behavior of the virus now" and future trends. The comment was suppressed on the Chinese Internet. Amid Taiwan’s successful early response to
690-619: A lot of that political effort seems to be spent reassuring authoritarian, opaque governments, in a bid to get them to work with the WHO to tackle diseases which threaten global health." African leaders expressed support for Tedros's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, with South African President and Chair of the African Union Cyril Ramaphosa stating that he showed "exceptional leadership." On 8 April 2020, in response to President Donald Trump 's threat to cut U.S. funding to
828-474: A manner of trust and openness building on the positive developments of their relations." Both agreed to review the report of the International Panel of Experts and implement their recommendations, working to defuse the tensions and ease the crisis. On 24 May 2016, on the margins of the 69th World Health Assembly , Tedros officially announced his candidacy for the post of the director-general of
966-413: A misfired Palestinian rocket as the cause, but stated that further investigation was required. Forensic Architecture 's investigation, as reported by The New York Times , Bloomberg News , BBC News , and El País , disputed Israel's account, concluding instead that the blast was the result of a munition fired from the direction of Israel. A second report by Forensic Architecture took into account
1104-575: A part of the order, the IDF announced a six-hour window from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time on 13 October, for refugees to flee south along specified routes within the Gaza Strip. An explosion at 5:30 p.m. along one of the safe routes killed 70 Palestinians. Israel and Hamas blamed each other for the attack. The IDF said Hamas set up roadblocks to keep Gaza residents from evacuating south and caused traffic jams. Israeli officials stated this
1242-612: A pivotal leadership role in the Africa Union's response to the 2013–2016 Western African Ebola virus epidemic . He particularly facilitated greater country ownership and urging countries to adhere to the WHO guidelines including the full implementation of the International Health Regulations. He also advocated that the Ebola crises offer a unique opportunity to strengthen primary health care and highlight
1380-645: A post she held since 2015 to advance women's health and reproductive rights globally. She later led his transition team. Negash Kebret Botora, Ethiopia's ambassador to the UN and international organisations in Geneva, also played a critical role in the campaign. The campaign was supported in part by a fund created by East African countries. Tedros also hired Mercury Public Affairs, a US-based lobbying company, to help him with his bid. During its 140th meeting in January 2017,
1518-405: A program introducing 30,000 health extension workers, focused on reducing maternal mortality and child mortality. The rate of child deaths fell by 30 percent between 2005 and 2011. Infant mortality decreased by 23 percent, from 77 to 59 deaths per 1,000 births, while under-five mortality decreased by 28 percent, from 123 to 88 per 1,000 births. The number of expectant mothers who delivered with
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#17327825751141656-493: A roadmap for achieving a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable growth , which has placed health as its centerpiece. He also helped achieve the agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and Jubaland Political Actors, which played a role in improving the delivery of health services and protecting the safety and security of Somali citizens. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tedros played
1794-455: A senior commander on the scene. The nearby Indonesia Hospital 's surgical director said they had received 120 dead bodies and treated 280 wounded, the majority of them women and children. The attack resulted in several ambassador recalls. According to The New York Times at least two 2,000-pound bombs, the second largest type in Israel's arsenal, were used. On 31 October, Israel bombed
1932-520: A severe hunger crisis, with a high risk of famine persisting as of November 2024 . By early 2024, Israeli forces had destroyed or damaged over half of Gaza's houses, at least a third of its tree cover and farmland , most of its schools and universities , hundreds of cultural landmarks , and at least a dozen cemeteries . Nearly all of the strip's 2.3 million Palestinian population have been forcibly displaced . Over 100,000 Israelis were internally displaced as of February 2024. Throughout
2070-406: A six-story apartment building in central Gaza, killing at least 106 civilians including 54 children in what Human Rights Watch called an "apparent war crime." On 1 November, the first group of evacuees left Gaza for Egypt. 500 evacuees, comprising critically wounded and foreign nationals, would be evacuated over the course of several days, with 200 evacuees already waiting at the border crossing. On
2208-520: A temporary ceasefire agreement, providing for a four-day pause in hostilities to allow for the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza. The deal also provided for the release of approximately 150 Palestinian women and children incarcerated by Israel. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated Israel's intention to continue the war. Following the introduction of a Qatari-brokered truce on 24 November, starting at 7:00 am Israel time , active fighting in
2346-658: A total blockade under pressure from US President Joe Biden and a deal was made on 19 October for Israel and Egypt to allow aid into Gaza. The first aid convoy after the start of the war entered Gaza on 21 October 2023, while fuel did not enter Gaza until November. On 13 October, the IDF called for the evacuation of all civilians in Gaza City to areas south of the Wadi Gaza within 24 hours. The Hamas Authority for Refugee Affairs responded by telling residents in northern Gaza to "remain steadfast in your homes and stand firm in
2484-622: A widespread condemnation, on 22 October 2017 Tedros rescinded Mugabe's goodwill ambassador role. Tedros has aired concerns about the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia. In remarks to Turkey's Anadolu Agency , some Ethiopian government officials anonymously accused Tedros of soliciting support for the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) during the 2020 Tigray conflict . They accused him of pressurizing UN bodies so they would try to restrain
2622-535: Is a major factor in infant mortality, the Ministry of Health targeted its efforts on adolescent girls (15 to 19 years) who have the highest unmet need for family planning. In November 2012, Tedros became Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs . He held this position until 2016, as part of Hailemariam Desalegn 's cabinet reshuffle after he was approved by the EPRDF as party leader (and thus Prime Minister). Tedros
2760-777: Is an Ethiopian public health official, researcher, diplomat, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization since 2017. He is the first African to become WHO Director-General, receiving an endorsement for the role by the African Union . Tedros played a role in the response to the Ebola virus epidemic , the COVID-19 pandemic , and the 2022–2023 mpox outbreak . Prior to serving as Director-General, he held two high-level positions in
2898-661: The 2022 mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), despite 9 of the experts in the committee disagreeing with the call and only 6 in favour. Tedros made plans to seek re-appointment as early as May 2021. On 22 September 2021 Germany proposed him for a further term without opposition. In fact by 29 October he had been nominated by 28 nations: Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Cook Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Tonga, and Trinidad and Tobago. He
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#17327825751143036-662: The Axis of Resistance have attacked American military bases in the Middle East . Additionally, the Yemeni Houthi movement have engaged in attacks in the Red Sea on commercial vessels allegedly linked to Israel, incurring a US-led military response . The ongoing exchange of strikes between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel escalated into an Israeli invasion of Lebanon on 1 October 2024. The 1948 Palestine war saw
3174-730: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . In 2010 the US State Department named Ethiopia as one of the US Global Health Initiative Plus countries, providing the country with greater access to resources for public health projects. During his time as Minister of Health of Ethiopia, Tedros was very active in global health initiatives. Ethiopia was the first country to sign a compact with the International Health Partnership. He
3312-565: The Government of Ethiopia 's offensive on the TPLF, as well as seeking support from Egypt and East African nations for the group. Ethiopia's Chief of General Staff , Birhanu Jula Gelalcha , publicly accused Tedros of backing the group and trying to get weapons for them on 19 November 2020. Tedros denied soliciting support for the TPLF. On 14 January 2022 the Ethiopian government demanded
3450-712: The International Court of Justice published in July 2024 affirmed the occupation as being illegal and said it violated Article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination , which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid. The attacks took place during the Jewish holidays of Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret on Shabbat , and one day after
3588-626: The Israeli occupation ; the First and Second Intifadas in 1987 and 2000 respectively, with the latter's end seeing Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Since 2007, the Gaza Strip has been governed by Hamas , an Islamist militant group, while the West Bank remained under the control of the Fatah -led Palestinian Authority . After Hamas' takeover, Israel imposed a blockade of
3726-530: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and was awarded a Master of Science degree in immunology of infectious diseases from the University of London in 1992. In 2000, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in community health from the University of Nottingham for research on the effects of dams on malaria transmission in the Tigray region . In 1986, after his first degree, Tedros joined
3864-470: The Netiv HaAsara massacre . In Sderot, gunmen targeted civilians and set houses ablaze. In Ofakim , hostages were taken during Hamas's deepest incursion. In Be'eri , Hamas militants took up to 50 people hostage . At least 325 people were killed and more injured at an outdoor music festival near Re'im and Hamas took at least 37 attendees hostage. Around 240 people were taken hostage during
4002-589: The Re'im music festival massacre . The Israeli police denied the Haaretz report. A subsequent Israeli investigation claimed that militants had been instructed not to run so that the air force would think they were Israelis. This deception worked for some time, but pilots began to realize the problem and ignore their restrictions. By around 9:00 am, some helicopters started laying down fire without prior authorization. A July 2024 Haaretz investigation revealed that
4140-465: The Red Cross access to these hostages" during the pause, which "didn't happen and is still not happening". The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said that although 240 Palestinian prisoners were released as part of the ceasefire deal, another 240 Palestinians were incarcerated. Released Palestinian prisoners reported mistreatment including beatings, overcrowding, food deprivation, and suspension of access to
4278-593: The Tigray People's Liberation Front . Tedros has overseen the WHO's management of the Kivu Ebola epidemic . He made early trips to both the Democratic Republic of Congo and China during the Kivu Ebola epidemic . Tedros has identified universal health coverage as his top priority at the WHO . He campaigned on the issue and reiterated this focus in his first speech as Director-General and throughout
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4416-492: The Tigray War between the Ethiopian government and Tigray rebels, stated that the Ethiopian federal government was deliberately starving Tigray. Tedros called the blockade by Ethiopia "an insult to our humanity", saying "Imagine a complete blockade of seven million people for more than a year. And there is no food. There is no medication, no medicine. No electricity. No telecom. No media." On 23 July 2022, Tedros declared
4554-592: The World Health Organization as the sole African candidate, with endorsement from the African Union and Ministers of Health of the continent. His official launch of candidacy in Geneva was attended by the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma , the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda and Kenya , and the Minister of Health of Algeria. During the launch, it
4692-415: The World Health Organization stated that while the hospital was still under siege, it had regained contact with its employees there, stating that four employees were injured, 44 health workers had been detained, and four ambulances were damaged. The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that Israeli forces had detained all male medical staff. On 27 October, Dr. Khalil Daqran stated only one medical staff remained in
4830-739: The Yom Kippur War in 1973. It is the deadliest war for Palestinians in the history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict . The war began when Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, which involved a rocket barrage and a few thousand militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier , attacking Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, including 815 civilians. In addition, 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive into Gaza , with
4968-608: The government of Ethiopia : Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016. Tedros was included in Time ' s 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Tedros was born in Asmara , Ethiopia (now in Eritrea ), to Adhanom Gebreyesus and Melashu Weldegabir. His family originated from the Enderta awrajja of Tigray . Tedros recalled that as
5106-547: The "destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad ". The Israel Electric Corporation , which supplies 80% of the Gaza Strip's electricity, cut off power to the area. This reduced Gaza's power supply from 120 MW to 20 MW, provided by power plants paid for by the Palestinian Authority. On 9 or 10 October, Hamas offered to release all civilian hostages held in Gaza if Israel would call off its planned invasion of
5244-399: The "inferior culture" and "race" of Pacific countries that did not have the capacity to manage COVID-19 cases on their own. Several workers also said Kasai improperly shared sensitive vaccine information to help Japan, his home country. Observers remarked that Tedros needs to enforce the policy more consistently, even in low profile cases such as reports of sexual abuse and exploitation during
5382-523: The "maternity department was reportedly hit during shelling and two mothers were killed". As of August 2024, the Kamal Adwan Hospital houses the only functioning neo-natal ICU left in Gaza. On 12 December, Israel raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital. The head of pediatrics stated the IDF had ordered all men and boys above age sixteen to leave the hospital to be searched. 70 medical staffers were arrested and taken to an unknown location. The head of
5520-469: The 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War , which also began with a surprise attack on Israel. At around 6:30 a.m. IDT (UTC+03:00) on 7 October 2023, Hamas announced the start of what it called " Operation Al-Aqsa Flood ", stating it had fired over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel within a span of 20 minutes. Israeli sources reported that at least 3,000 projectiles had been launched from Gaza. At least five people were killed by
5658-614: The 7 October attack was a calculated effort to create a "permanent" state of war and revive interest in the Palestinian cause. After the initial breach of the Gaza perimeter by Palestinian militants, it took hours for the IDF to start its counter-attack. The first helicopters sent to support the military were launched from the north of Israel, and arrived at the Gaza Strip an hour after fighting began. They encountered difficulty in determining which outposts and communities were occupied, and distinguishing between Palestinian militants and
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5796-659: The 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly . In October 2017, he announced his senior leadership team, with women representing 60% of appointments. While Tedros received praise for his commitment to gender equality, he also received criticism for a lack of transparency. He appointed Tereza Kasaeva of the Russian Ministry of Health to lead the WHO Global Tuberculosis Program without soliciting civil society input; days before
5934-576: The Egyptian Ambassador explain the meeting. Morsi's top aide apologized for the "unintended embarrassment" and his cabinet released a statement promoting "good neighborliness, mutual respect and the pursuit of joint interests without either party harming the other." Morsi reportedly believes that is better to engage Ethiopia rather than attempt to force them. However, on 10 June 2013, he said that "all options are open" because "Egypt's water security cannot be violated at all," clarifying that he
6072-480: The Egyptian government, the report found that the dimensions and size of the dam should be changed. On 3 June 2013, while discussing the International Panel of Experts report with President Mohammad Morsi , Egyptian political leaders suggested methods to destroy the dam, including support for anti-government rebels. The discussion was televised live without those present at meeting aware. Ethiopia requested that
6210-619: The Ethiopian Ministry of Health as a junior public health expert. Tedros joined the Tigray People's Liberation Front . In 2001, Tedros was appointed head of the Tigray Regional Health Bureau. In 2003, he was appointed a State Minister (deputy minister) for Health, a post he held for just over a year. In October 2005, Tedros was appointed Minister of Health of Ethiopia by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Tigray People's Liberation Front . At this time
6348-761: The Ethiopian health ministry faced challenges that included poverty, poor infrastructure, and a declining global economic situation; Ethiopia employed fewer doctors than the number of Ethiopian doctors working in the Chicago metropolitan area . A review published in Global Health Governance considered progress in health indicators during this period to be significant. The Health Ministry's activities from 2005 to 2008 were supported by US$ 1.9 billion in development aid, increased focus on links between community and centralized health systems, and less exclusive attention to HIV/AIDS and malaria. Tedros designed
6486-640: The Executive Council of the AU in 2014, Tedros highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in Africa's political and socio-economic governance and development to realize the continent's long-term agendas. He emphasized the need for Africa to focus on issues of economic emancipation, peace and stability, the acceleration of rapid economic growth, governance and democratization. During his tenure, the AU adopted its First Ten Year Implementation Plan for Agenda 2063 –
6624-768: The Gaza Strip , that significantly damaged its economy . The blockade was justified by Israel citing security concerns, but international rights groups have characterized the blockade as a form of collective punishment . Due to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip , UNRWA reported that 81% of people were living below the poverty level in 2023, with 63% being food insecure and dependent on international assistance. Since 2007, Israel and Hamas, along with other Palestinian militant groups based in Gaza, have engaged in conflict, including in four wars in 2008–2009 , 2012 , 2014 , and 2021 . These conflicts killed approximately 6,400 Palestinians and 300 Israelis . In 2018–2019, there were large weekly organized protests near
6762-435: The Gaza Strip . Israel's targeting of Kamal Adwan came amidst a broader Israeli targeting of health facilities in the Gaza Strip. On 3 December, the IDF struck in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan hospital, killing at least four people according to Al-Jazeera. On 11 December, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital stated Israel had killed two mothers and their newborn babies when Israel targeted its maternity ward. According to UN News,
6900-491: The Gaza Strip ceased and some of the Israeli and foreign hostages were released by Hamas in exchange for the release of some of the Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel. The truce was announced for a period of four days but was extended for a longer period. From 24 to 30 November, Hamas released hostages and Israel released prisoners. On 27 November, Qatar announced that an agreement between Israel and Hamas to extend
7038-417: The Gaza Strip, but the Israeli government rejected the offer. The IDF declared a "state of readiness for war", mobilized tens of thousands of army reservists , and declared a state of emergency for areas within 80 kilometers (50 mi) of Gaza. The Yamam counterterrorism unit was deployed, along with four new divisions, augmenting 31 existing battalions. Reservists were reported deployed in Gaza, in
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#17327825751147176-480: The Gaza Strip. In a televised broadcast, Netanyahu said, "We are at war". He threatened to "turn all the places where Hamas is organized and hiding into cities of ruins", called Gaza "the city of evil", and urged its residents to leave. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant conducted security assessments at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv . Overnight, Israel's Security Cabinet voted to act to bring about
7314-612: The Gaza-Israel border , which were violently suppressed by Israel, whose forces killed hundreds and injured thousands of Palestinians by sniper fire. Soon after the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis began, Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades , started planning the 7 October 2023 operation against Israel. According to diplomats, Hamas had repeatedly said in the months leading up to October 2023 that it did not want another military escalation in Gaza as it would worsen
7452-529: The IDF ordered the Hannibal Directive to be used, adding: "Haaretz does not know whether or how many civilians and soldiers were hit due to these procedures, but the cumulative data indicates that many of the kidnapped people were at risk, exposed to Israeli gunfire, even if they were not the target." At 7:18 a.m., an observation post reported someone had been kidnapped at the Erez crossing, close to
7590-467: The IDF released a review exonerating itself, but it left many at Kibbutz Be'eri unsatisfied and contradicted the testimony from one of the survivors, Yasmin Porat, who told Israel's Kan radio on 15 October that Hamas gunmen had not threatened the hostages and instead intended to negotiate with police for their safe return to Gaza. She said an Israeli police special unit had started the gun battle by firing upon
7728-476: The IDF's liaison office. At 6:40 p.m. military intelligence believed militants were intending to flee back to Gaza in an organized manner from near Kibbutz Be'eri, Kfar Azza and Kissufim. In response the army launched artillery at the border fence area, very close to some of these communities. Shells were also fired at the Erez border crossing shortly thereafter. The IDF said it was not aware of any civilians being hurt in these bombardments. 14 hostages were in
7866-507: The IDF's role in fostering uncertainty through misinformation. On 27 October, the IDF launched a large-scale, multi-pronged ground incursion into parts of northern Gaza. The IDF was building up a force of over 100,000 soldiers in the cities of Ashkelon , Sderot and Kiryat Gat . Clashes between Hamas and the IDF were reported near Beit Hanoun and Bureij . Israeli airstrikes targeted the area around al-Quds hospital , where around 14,000 civilians were believed to be sheltering in or near
8004-462: The IDF, and the ongoing conflict prevented independent on-site analysis. Palestinian statements that it was an Israeli airstrike were denied by the IDF, which stated that the explosion resulted from a failed rocket launch by Palestinian Islamic Jihad . The PIJ denied any involvement. The cause of the explosion at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital is contested. In the days after the blast, US, Canadian, French and UK defense and intelligence services concluded it
8142-831: The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board. He was also a member of several academic and global health think tanks including the Aspen Institute and Harvard School of Public Health . He served as vice-president of the 60th World Health Assembly that was held on 14–23 May 2007. From 2008 until 2009, he was a member of the High Level Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems, co-chaired by Gordon Brown and Robert Zoellick . In July 2009, Tedros
8280-460: The Interior Ministry. In May 2024, Israel bombed the vicinity of the hospital, which the World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on 19 May was "deeply worrisome". Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on 21 May that the hospital had been attacked four times in the prior twenty four hours. The same day, the hospital was evacuated, though patients connected to machines were unable to be evacuated. Medics stated on 22 May that missiles hit
8418-422: The Israeli military had destroyed the hospital's main electrical generators. In August 2024, officials at Kamal Adwan Hospital warned that the hospital was at risk of closure due to lack of fuel and medicine, putting 11 children at risk of death. In October 2024 during the siege of Northern Gaza , the Israeli military ordered the complete evacuation of the Kamal Adwan Hospital within 24 hours. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia,
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#17327825751148556-546: The Ministry of Health was able to turn around Ethiopia's record of the highest number of new HIV infections in Africa , bringing the number down dramatically. The prevalence was reduced from its double-digit record to 4.2 in cities and 0.6 in rural areas. According to the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), Ethiopia's rate of HIV infection declined by 90% between 2002 and 2012, while AIDS-related death dropped by 53%. The number of people starting HIV treatment increased more than 150-fold during 2005–2008. The decline in
8694-664: The Red Cross. Released prisoners were forbidden to speak with the media and threatened with fines. Israel adopted a grid system to order precise evacuations within Gaza, released a map, and dropped leaflets with a QR code . The grid-based evacuation system was criticized as inaccessible and confusing due to the lack of electricity and internet connectivity in Gaza. Some evacuation instructions were vague or contradictory, and Israel struck "safe" areas it had told people to evacuate to. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ( Tigrinya : ቴዎድሮስ አድሓኖም ገብረኢየሱስ , sometimes spelt ቴድሮስ ኣድሓኖም ገብረየሱስ ; born 3 March 1965)
8832-402: The Syrian civil war Israel–Yemen conflict Nuclear program of Iran International incidents An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas -led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place in the Gaza Strip and Israel since 7 October 2023. It is the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, and the most significant military engagement in the region since
8970-412: The UN stated a bombing on the hospital's third floor had destroyed critical medical supplies. On 4 November 2024, the head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , wrote that shortly after a WHO mission, a reported attack on the third floor injured six child patients. The same day, the health ministry stated that there were "many" injuries amongst patients and staff following Israel "violently bombard[ing]"
9108-423: The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic . Tedros commented, "We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic." In March, he called the pandemic "the defining global health crisis of our time" and urged countries to increase testing for the virus, as well as warning of
9246-442: The WHO election, stories surfaced about an alleged cover-up of three possible cholera epidemics in Ethiopia in 2006, 2009 and 2011. The outbreaks were allegedly wrongly labelled as "acute watery diarrhea" (AWD)—a symptom of cholera—in the absence of laboratory confirmation of Vibrio cholerae in an attempt to play down the significance of the epidemics. UN officials said more aid and vaccines could have been delivered to Ethiopia if
9384-422: The WHO investigate Tedros for supporting the TPLF. In early 2020, Tedros oversaw the World Health Organization's management of the COVID-19 pandemic . In January 2020, Tedros met with Chinese leaders including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping about COVID-19. On 23 January 2020, the WHO stated it did not yet rise to the level of an international emergency, but that
9522-407: The WHO, Tedros asked that the virus not be politicized and called for unity in fighting the "common enemy." On 19 December 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the WHO, under Tedros's leadership, announced that it had secured 2 billion vaccine doses for distribution starting in 2021, once they had been approved by national agencies. Earlier that month, he said, "progress on vaccines gives us all
9660-484: The West Bank, and along borders with Lebanon and Syria. Residents near Gaza were asked to stay inside, while civilians in southern and central Israel were "required to stay next to shelters". The southern region of Israel was closed to civilian movement, and roads were closed around Gaza and Tel Aviv. While Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport remained operational, multiple airlines cancelled flights to and from Israel. Israel Railways suspended service in parts of
9798-749: The World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , stated he was "extremely worried" about the situation at Kamal Adwan. The IDF released a video claiming that it showed alleged terrorists near Kamal Adwan reportedly surrendering their weapons. These claims were quickly challenged by family members who identified their non-combatant relatives. On 14 December, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that 2,500 internally displaced persons had been forcibly evacuated, and that IDF soldiers had prevented medical staff from continuing support to 12 babies in intensive care and ten emergency department patients, leading to two deaths. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated patients had evacuated Kamal Adwan hospital, resulting in
9936-510: The allegation of a cover-up and said he was "not surprised at all but quite disappointed" by what he called a "last-minute smear campaign." When Tedros was named the new Director-General of the WHO, members of Ethiopia's Amhara community impacted by the alleged cover-up protested in front of WHO's headquarters in Geneva . Tedros's candidacy for WHO director general was opposed vigorously by several Ethiopian parties, due to his past membership of
10074-498: The appointment, civil society organizations had published an open letter calling for a competitive, open process to identify the Program's new director. On 18 October 2017, Tedros announced that he had chosen President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to serve as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador to help tackle non-communicable diseases for Africa. He said Zimbabwe was "a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at
10212-422: The attacks , mostly civilians. Captives in Gaza included children, festivalgoers, peace activists, caregivers, elderly people, and soldiers. Hamas militants also reportedly engaged in mutilation, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence . The 7 October attack was described as "an intelligence failure for the ages" and a " failure of imagination " on the part of the Israeli government. A BBC report on
10350-562: The border fence in five other places. Hamas militants also carried out an amphibious landing in Zikim . Militants killed civilians at Nir Oz , Be'eri , and Netiv HaAsara , and other agricultural communities , where they took hostages and set fire to homes. 52 civilians were killed in the Kfar Aza massacre , 108 in the Be'eri massacre (a loss of 10% of the kibbutz 's population) and 15 in
10488-530: The broader context of Israeli occupation as a cause of the war. The Associated Press wrote that Palestinians are "in despair over a never-ending occupation in the West Bank and suffocating blockade of Gaza". Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International , B'Tselem and Human Rights Watch have likened the Israeli occupation to apartheid , although supporters of Israel dispute this characterization. However, an advisory opinion by
10626-459: The centre of its policies to provide health care to all." Mugabe's appointment was severely criticised, with WHO member states and international organisations saying that Zimbabwe's healthcare system had in fact gone backwards under his regime, as well as pointing out Mugabe's many human rights abuses. It was also noted that Mugabe himself does not use his own country's health system, instead travelling to Singapore for treatment. Observers said Tedros
10764-618: The claim had no evidence. Taiwan’s Justice Ministry investigators reportedly uncovered an effort by Chinese netizens to exploit the controversy by “falsely identifying themselves as Taiwanese and issuing apologies to Tedros online.” Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine , following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , Tedros said that the attention given to the conflict was significantly larger than other crises in Ethiopia , Yemen , Syria or Afghanistan and said it seemed like this
10902-534: The country and replaced some routes with temporary bus routes, while cruise ships removed the ports of Ashdod and Haifa from their itineraries. Following the surprise attack, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes that they said targeted Hamas compounds, command centers, tunnels, and other targets. Israel employed its artificial intelligence Habsora ("The Gospel") software to automatically generate targets to be attacked. Two days after
11040-489: The damage the virus could do in poor countries. Tedros praised China for its containment measures, describing them as a "new standard for outbreak control." During the COVID-19 pandemic some government officials and public-health experts accused Tedros of failing to declare a pandemic soon enough, and of having a too close relationship with the government of China . According to the BBC, "while Dr Tedros may be political,
11178-656: The deaths of patients, including a nine-year-old. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated on 16 December that according to media reports "an Israeli military bulldozer flattened the tents of a number of internally displaced persons outside the hospital, killing and wounding an unconfirmed number of people." One reporter described "a terrifying massacre and unspeakable scenes" and stating, "Dozens of displaced, sick and wounded people were buried alive". A man stated his 25-year-old son had been buried alive by IDF bulldozers at Kamal Adwan and in
11316-552: The disease and advertising urging safe sex practices and condom use. The government's collaboration with local and international governmental and non-governmental organizations has also positively influenced access to HIV/AIDS related service centers. Under Tedros's tenure, the unmet need for family planning in Ethiopia declined, and the contraceptive prevalence rate doubled in five years. Contraceptive prevalence rates reached 65% in 2015 by reaching an additional 6.2 million women and adolescent girls. Recognising that early childrearing
11454-521: The entire hospital, and that Israeli forces had set parts of the hospital on fire, destroyed its entrances, and demolished walls. On 28 October, the IDF said that it captured 100 Hamas militants during the raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Both local medics and Hamas denied there was any militant presence at the hospital. Later that day, the IDF withdrew from the hospital. Following the raid, the Gaza Ministry of Health stated, "Two children have died in
11592-504: The entry of food and fuel, saying "We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly". This drew criticism from Human Rights Watch (HRW) who described the order as "abhorrent" and as a "call to commit a war crime" and accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions over Gaza in violation of international law. On 10 October, an Israeli airstrike on a house in Deir al-Balah killed 18 people. Gallant backed down from implementing
11730-476: The environmental impact of the dam and visited the dam site. The panel submitted its preliminary report to the respective governments at the end of May 2013. Although the full report has not been made public, and will not be until it is reviewed by the governments, Egypt and Ethiopia both released details. The Ethiopian government stated that, according to the report, the dam meets international standards and will be beneficial to Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. According to
11868-495: The establishment of Israel over most of what had been Mandatory Palestine , with the exception of two separated territories that became known as the West Bank and the Gaza Strip , which were held by Jordan and Egypt respectively. Following the 1967 Six-Day War , Israel occupied the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The upcoming period witnessed two popular uprisings by Palestinians against
12006-570: The executive board of the WHO shortlisted Tedros as the front runner out of six candidates through two rounds of secret voting. He collected the most votes during both rounds. Tedros "was supported by a bloc of African and Asian countries, including China, which has considerable influence with those members" while "the US, UK and Canada... lent their support to... the British doctor David Nabarro ." One observer called it "a really nasty" election. Tedros
12144-541: The face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation". The statement by Israel faced widespread backlash with numerous agencies such as Doctors Without Borders , the World Health Organization , the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and others condemning it as "outrageous" and "impossible" while calling for an immediate reversal of the order. As
12282-750: The health workforce "flooding" reform strategy that has resulted in the training and deployment of thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technologists and health officers. This program included the construction of 4,000 health centres, trained and deployed more than 30,000 health extension workers , and developed a new cadre of hospital management professionals as part of a Health Extension Program (HEP). A 2011 Demographic Health Survey suggests these efforts reduced Ethiopian infant mortality from 123 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2006 to 88 in 2011. As Minister of Health, Tedros formed relationships with figures and organizations including former American president Bill Clinton , his Clinton Foundation and
12420-443: The help of a skilled provider rose from 6 percent in 2005 to 10 percent in 2011, according to the 2011 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey. During Tedros's tenure as Minister of Health, tuberculosis prevention and treatment services were included as one of the packages of Health Extension Workers, which has resulted in improvements in performance and the achievement of the tuberculosis Millennium Development Goals (MDG) ahead of
12558-535: The hospital and integrated its operations into its functions. The Gaza Health Ministry said that "Kahlot’s confessions were extracted under the use of force, coercion, torture and intimidation." The Ministry of Health said that Kahlout works for the Military Medical Services, a branch of the Ministry of the Interior and that the rank of brigadier general was part of the ranking system used by
12696-412: The hospital director stated the Israeli military was committing "deliberate murder." He stated, "There are more than 15 cases that need surgeries that we cannot perform in the hospital". On 24 October 2024, video showed Israeli tanks firing on the hospital. On 25 October, Israel raided the hospital. The Palestinian health ministry stated 600 patients, companions, and staff were trapped. The following day,
12834-485: The hospital was used to shelter terrorists, arguing that this invalidated the protection provided by the Geneva Conventions . Israel claims to have arrested 80 Hamas operatives in the base and had found weapons in the location. Staff reported the Israeli troops shooting at doctors and setting dogs to maul handicapped patients. The hospital's director, Ahmed Kahlout, was arrested following the IDF's takeover of
12972-501: The hospital's director, said the hospital would remain in service, stating, "We have babies and newborns that are in the ICU. Even if we can evacuate a few patients, we cannot leave the hospital because there is no other hospital that is providing services and treatment to children". As Israel's deadline for evacuation, the Israeli army was reported to be advancing on the hospital while "committing massacres against civilians". On 24 October 2024,
13110-517: The hospital's emergency department. On 24 May, Israeli forces massed outside the hospital entrance, leading the hospital's head of nursing to state, "It is considered practically, because it is besieged, not operational". The hospital was hit twice by artillery. On 25 May, the head of pediatrics stated Israeli forces were still surrounding the hospital. Upon Israel's withdrawal from the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defense agency stated that
13248-576: The hospital. Palestinian health minister Mai al-Kaila called for a probe into Israeli actions at Kamal Adwan. The Council on American–Islamic Relations called for a United Nations international probe. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated WHO was appalled at the hospital's "effective destruction". The UN Human Rights Office called for an investigation. Israel%E2%80%93Hamas war Ongoing Gaza Strip : West Bank : Militants inside Israel: Israel : Hezbollah–Israel conflict Gaza–Israel conflict Iran–Israel conflict during
13386-413: The hospital. Associated Press reported that Israeli airstrikes also destroyed roads leading to Al-Shifa hospital , making it increasingly difficult to reach. The following day, the IDF struck Jabalia refugee camp , killing 50 and wounding 150 Palestinians. Israel said a senior Hamas commander and dozens of militants in an underground tunnel complex were among those killed. Hamas denied the presence of
13524-491: The hospital. Following an interrogation by the Israel Defense Forces , the Israeli military reported that he had confessed that the hospital was being used as a military operations center. He is reported to have said that he joined Hamas in 2010 at the equivalent rank of a brigadier general and that many hospital staff members, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and others, also served as members of Hamas's al-Qassam brigades . According to Kahlout, Hamas concealed weapons within
13662-492: The house of Pessi Cohen at Kibbutz Be'eri as the IDF attacked it, with 13 of them killed. Former Israeli Air Force officer Colonel Nof Erez said: "This was a mass Hannibal. It was tons and tons of openings in the fence, and thousands of people in every type of vehicle, some with hostages and some without." ABC News (Australia) said that not only soldiers but also Israeli civilians were targeted, citing testimonies from two incidents at Kibbutz Be'eri and Nir Oz. Six months later
13800-523: The house, catching "five or six" kibbutz residents outside in "very, very heavy crossfire". In the interview, she was asked: "So our forces may have shot them?" "Undoubtedly," she replied." The attack appeared to have been a complete surprise to the Israelis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency gathering of security authorities, and the IDF launched Operation Swords of Iron in
13938-422: The humanitarian crisis that occurred after the 2021 conflict. Hamas officials stated that the attack was a response to the Israeli occupation , blockade of the Gaza Strip , Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, restrictions on the movement of Palestinians , and imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians , whom Hamas sought to release by taking Israeli hostages. Numerous commentators have identified
14076-787: The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals . The Conference was criticized by a few observers for failing to come up with new money for implementing the SDGs while a follow-up April 2016 report by the Economic and Social Council Forum was much more optimistic and provided the framework to monitor the commitments. Tedros served as a member of the High Level Task Force for innovative financing for Health Systems chaired by former World Bank President and U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown . As Chair of
14214-536: The importance of health as a critical security issue. In an interview he conducted with Devex in November 2014, Tedros discusses what "disappointed" him in the global response to Ebola, the importance of solidarity in overcoming the outbreak, and how the deadly virus has transformed to a crisis beyond health. He also promptly mobilised 200 Ethiopian health workers highly trained in management of public health emergencies and surveillance (by an initiative he created when he
14352-505: The infection rate has been attributed to the concerted effort of the Ministry of Health in providing medicines and organizing various awareness-raising programs. The office has managed to integrate the people in HIV prevention and control activities. The wide range of media campaigns to inform the public about the disease has helped achieve behavioral change. Prevention measures like the use of condoms have shot up starkly with increased awareness on
14490-454: The intelligence failure commented that "it must have taken extraordinary levels of operational security by Hamas". Israeli officials later anonymously reported to Axios that the IDF and Shin Bet had detected abnormal movements by Hamas the day before the attack, but decided to wait for additional intelligence before raising the military's alert level. They also did not inform political leaders of
14628-707: The intelligence reports. A briefing in The Economist noted that "the assault dwarf[ed] all other mass murders of Israeli civilians", reasoning that "the last time before October 7th that this many Jews were murdered on a single day was during the Holocaust ." Hamas stated that its attack was a response to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements , rising Israeli settler violence and recent escalations at Al-Aqsa . Intelligence and security officials from multiple Western countries, along with Hamas political officials, claimed that
14766-498: The intensive care unit after the hospital's generators failed and the oxygen station was targeted". One of the two remaining doctors at the hospital warned that "patients and the injured are strewn all over the hospital floor". Officials stated one doctor had been killed by an Israeli drone. The W.H.O. stated they had continued with patient evacuations, as Kamal Adwan's building was damaged, four ambulances were destroyed, and patients needed medical supplies, food, and water. On 31 October,
14904-447: The most destructive bombing campaigns in modern history and invaded Gaza on 27 October with the stated objectives of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages. Since the start of the Israeli invasion, over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed , more than half of them women and children . Israel's tightened blockade cut off basic necessities and attacks on infrastructure have destroyed Gaza's healthcare system and caused
15042-556: The north. One of the airstrikes killed a senior Hamas military commander Ayman Nofal . In the afternoon, an Israeli strike hit a UNRWA school in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp , killing six and injuring 12. Late in the evening, an explosion occurred in the parking lot of the Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital in the center of Gaza City, killing hundreds. The cause of the explosion was disputed by Hamas and
15180-509: The organization was closely tracking the virus' evolution. During the announcement, Tedros said "Make no mistake, though, this is an emergency in China. But it has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one." On 31 January 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). During the PHEIC announcement, Tedros stated there
15318-538: The outbreaks had been confirmed as cholera. The allegations were made by Larry Gostin , an American law professor who was acting as an adviser to rival candidate David Nabarro from the UK, and were reported in The New York Times . The African Union delegation to the UN dismissed the report as "an unfounded and unverified defamation campaign, conveniently coming out only days before the election." Tedros denied
15456-471: The pandemic in 2020, its bid to be included in the WHO gained international attention with strong support from the United States, Japan, Germany and Australia. In an April 2020 interview, WHO Assistant Director-General Bruce Aylward appeared to dodge a question from RTHK reporter Yvonne Tong about Taiwan's response to the pandemic and inclusion in the WHO, asking to move to another question. When
15594-871: The rocket attacks. Explosions were reported in areas surrounding the strip and in cities in the Sharon plain including Gedera , Herzliya , Tel Aviv , and Ashkelon . Hamas employed tactics such as using aerial drones to disable Israeli observation posts, paragliders for infiltration into Israel, and motorcycles, which was unusual for Hamas. In the evening, Hamas launched another barrage of 150 rockets towards Israel, with explosions reported in Yavne , Givatayim , Bat Yam , Beit Dagan , Tel Aviv, and Rishon LeZion. Simultaneously, around 3,000 Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from Gaza using trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats, and paragliders. They took over checkpoints at Kerem Shalom and Erez , and created openings in
15732-429: The same day, the Jabalia refugee camp was bombed for a second time. On 3 November, Israel struck an ambulance convoy directly in front of Al-Shifa Hospital, killing at least 15 people and injuring 60 more. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said one of its ambulances was struck "by a missile fired by the Israeli forces" about two meters from the entrance to al-Shifa hospital. The PRCS said another ambulance
15870-552: The same report the IDF was accused of necroviolence by running over corpses with a bulldozer. A video purporting to be footage of the incident circulated but France24 reported that the video was unrelated to the hospital siege. Director general of the Gaza Health Ministry, Munir al-Bursh, claims to have been shot at by Israeli forces while giving a press conference in front of the hospital, and that Israeli forces arrested 70 medical professionals. Israel claims that
16008-404: The situated testimony of doctors, survivors, and journalists on the ground, as well as photogrammetry and 3D reconstruction, and gave additional credibility to the incident being an Israeli attack instead of a misfired Palestinian rocket. In April 2024 The New Yorker , citing investigations from Earshot and Forensic Architecture, highlighted doubts about a Palestinian rocket involvement and noted
16146-445: The soldiers and civilians on the ground. The helicopter crews initially sustained a high rate of fire, attacking approximately 300 targets in four hours. Later on the crews began to slow down the attacks and carefully select targets. According to Haaretz ' s journalist, a police source said that a police investigation indicated an IDF helicopter which had fired on Hamas militants "apparently also hit some festival participants" in
16284-477: The stated goal to force Israel to release Palestinian prisoners and detainees . Hamas said its attack was in response to Israel's continued occupation , blockade of Gaza , expansion of settlements , Israel's disregard for international law , as well as alleged threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the general plight of Palestinians. After clearing militants from its territory, Israel launched one of
16422-487: The surprise attack, Israel said that 426 targets had been hit, including Beit Hanoun , homes of Hamas officials, a mosque, and the Watan Tower, an internet infrastructure hub. Israel also rescued two hostages before declaring a state of war for the first time since the 1973 Yom Kippur War . On 9 October, Defense Minister Gallant announced a "total" blockade of the Gaza Strip, cutting off electricity and blocking
16560-434: The target date. Deaths from malaria fell by more than 50% from 2005 to 2007. The rate of new malaria admittances fell 54% in the country over the same period, while the number of childhood malaria cases reported at clinics fell by 60%. The Health Ministry conducted the distribution of 20.5 million insecticide-treated bed nets to protect over 10 million families in malaria-prone areas between 2005 and 2008. Under Tedros,
16698-584: The truce by two days had been reached. Both Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the truce on 28 November. On 30 November, in a "last-minute agreement", Hamas released eight hostages in exchange for the release of 30 imprisoned Palestinians and a one-day truce extension. The truce expired on 1 December, as Israel and Hamas blamed each other for failing to agree on an extension. The disagreement centered on "how to define soldiers versus civilians and how many Palestinian prisoners Israel would release for its hostages". The remaining Israeli hostages include
16836-519: The video chat was restarted, he was asked another question about Taiwan. He responded by indicating that they had already discussed China and formally ended the interview. With Taiwan’s bid to join the WHO and Aylward’s interview controversy as backdrop, Tedros said he had received death threats and racist remarks that he attributed to Taiwan with complicity from its Foreign Ministry, an allegation Taiwanese officials vehemently denied, requesting an apology. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said
16974-697: The war, Israel assassinated several Hamas leaders in and outside of Gaza. The war continues to have significant regional and international repercussions. Large, primarily pro-Palestinian protests have taken place across the world, calling for a ceasefire . The International Court of Justice is reviewing a case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza , while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. The United States has given Israel extensive military aid and vetoed multiple UN Security Council ceasefire resolutions. Groups of
17112-530: Was "not calling for war," but that he would not allow Egypt's water supply to be endangered. Tedros said the dam will be used exclusively for power generation and is being constructed in a way that takes Egypt's water security concerns into account. On 18 June, Tedros and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr issued a joint statement reiterating "their commitment to strengthen their bilateral relations and coordinate their efforts to reach an understanding regarding all outstanding issues between both countries in
17250-466: Was a result of bias against non-white lives. In February 2023, he rejected criticism from the Russian government that the WHO was using the word "invasion" to describe Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying that "I used the same word in a speech last year. I couldn’t find any other word that would represent it because it’s the truth." In early October 2021, Mark Lowcock , who led OCHA during part of
17388-420: Was caused by an errant Palestinian rocket. Channel 4 news cast doubt on Israeli claims of a misfired Hamas rocket being responsible for the blast. The Associated Press , CNN , The Economist , The Guardian , and The Wall Street Journal concluded a Palestinian missile was the most likely explanation for the blast. In late November, an analysis by Human Rights Watch indicated the evidence pointed to
17526-757: Was chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (2007–2009), a member of the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS from 2009 to 2010 and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria from 2009 to 2011 and co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (2005–2009). He also served as a member of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) Board as well as
17664-410: Was done to use civilians as "human shields", which Hamas denied. A number of countries and international organizations condemned what they called Hamas's use of hospitals and civilians as human shields . On 17 October, Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza. Gazan Ministry of Health officials reported heavy overnight bombing killing over 70 people, including families who had evacuated from Gaza City in
17802-590: Was elected as Director-General of the World Health Organization by the World Health Assembly on 23 May 2017, becoming the first director-general who is not a medical doctor , with an overwhelming 133 votes out of 185. He became the first African to lead the WHO, as well as the first Director-General elected in a vote open to all Member States. He took office for a five-year term on 1 July 2017. In May 2017, just prior to
17940-612: Was elected board chair of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for a two-year term. In a profile published in April 2010, The Lancet reported that Tedros was "a household name at the Global Fund Secretariat" before his election as board chair where his leadership was regularly cited at the Global Fund that resulted in Ethiopia being named as an exemplary high-performing country. Tedros oversaw
18078-589: Was expected to have a reservoir of around 70 billion cubic meters, which was scheduled to start filling in 2014. Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan established an International Panel of Experts to review and assess the study reports on the dam. The panel consisted of 10 members; 6 from the three countries and 4 international in the fields of water resources and hydrologic modelling, dam engineering, socioeconomic, and environmental. The panel held its fourth meeting in Addis Ababa in November 2012. It reviewed documents about
18216-437: Was fired on about a kilometer from the hospital. The next day, a UNRWA spokeswoman confirmed reports that Israel had conducted an airstrike against a UN-run school in the Jabalia refugee camp, killing 15 people. On 18 November Israeli strikes killed over 80 people in Jabalia refugee camp. Israel also attacked a clearly marked Médecins Sans Frontières convoy, killing two aid workers. On 22 November, Israel and Hamas reached
18354-782: Was instrumental in the successful outcome of the Third International Conference for Financing for Development, which was held in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia, on 13–16 July 2015. He was responsible for the organization of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) document in which the attending countries committed to financing for the Sustainable Development Goals . The outcome document, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) , set policy actions by Member States, which draw upon all sources of finance, technology, innovation, trade, and data to support
18492-430: Was no cause to limit trade or travel with China and said "Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China." In the first week of February 2020, Tedros reiterated per WHO and international guidelines that governments adopt policies to stop the spread of the disease that were "evidence-based and consistent," and not to "unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade." On 11 March 2020,
18630-594: Was poised for a second term since no opposing candidate has surfaced. He was re-appointed on 24 May 2022, unopposed for a term that was scheduled to begin on 16 August 2022. Under Tedros "zero tolerance" policy against misconduct, doctor Takeshi Kasai was dismissed in 2023 from his role as the Western Pacific regional director, the first time in WHO's history for someone at such a high position. An internal investigation had found Kasai to have engaged in public humiliation of staff members and making comments such as
18768-481: Was returning a campaign favour. Mugabe was chair of the African Union when Tedros was endorsed as a sole African Union candidate in a murky process that did not consider qualified alternatives like Michel Sidibé of Mali and Awa Marie Coll-Seck of Senegal. His judgement was widely questioned on social media. The editor-in-chief of Lancet , a prominent medical journal, called Tedros "Dictator-General." After
18906-518: Was stressed that the nomination of Tedros was based on merit and his prolific national and global credentials. His campaign tagline was "Together for a Healthier World." His Campaign Chair was Senait Fisseha , an Ethio-American lawyer and a professor of gynaecology and obstetrics from the University of Michigan . During this period she was also Director of International Programmes at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation,
19044-541: Was the Minister of Health) to join the African Union response team. In May 2013, controversy intensified over the under-construction Hidase Dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz near Sudan as Ethiopia began diverting the Blue Nile for the dam's construction. At that time, the dam was more than 22 percent complete and expected to produce 6,000 megawatts, making it Africa's largest hydroelectric power plant. The dam
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