UN Appoints Bruno Lemarquis as Deputy Head of Mission in Afghanistan

UN Secretary-General appoints Bruno Lemarquis as deputy head of UNAMA and humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan amid ongoing crisis.

António Guterres has appointed Bruno Georges Lemarquis as the new deputy head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, where he will also serve as humanitarian coordinator.

The appointment comes at a critical time as Afghanistan faces a deepening humanitarian crisis, with millions in need of urgent assistance and limited access to basic services.

Lemarquis will replace Indrika Ratwatte, taking on a dual role that is central to coordinating international aid efforts and supporting UN operations in the country.

Prior to this role, Lemarquis served as deputy special representative of the Secretary-General in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he also coordinated humanitarian operations.

He previously held a similar senior UN position in Haiti between 2020 and 2021, focusing on crisis management and recovery efforts.

Lemarquis has extensive experience with the United Nations Development Programme, working across crisis response, reconstruction, development, and peacebuilding initiatives.

His field experience includes assignments in Somalia, Palestinian Territories, Cambodia, and Haiti, reflecting a broad background in complex humanitarian environments.

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies, with widespread poverty, food insecurity, and restrictions affecting aid delivery and access to services.

International organizations have repeatedly warned that sustained humanitarian coordination is essential to prevent further deterioration, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The UN’s mission in Afghanistan plays a key role in facilitating aid, supporting dialogue, and monitoring conditions on the ground amid ongoing political and economic challenges.

Lemarquis’ appointment is seen as part of broader efforts by the United Nations to strengthen its leadership and response capacity in one of its most complex operational environments.

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