Q1. Who is he?
A1. United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki Moon has appointed Abdulaziz bin Mohamed Arrukban as his Special Humanitarian Envoy. Mr. Arrukban was previously designated a Special International Ambassador for the UN World Food Programme in February 2005.  Educated at Mercer University in the US, Mr. Arrukban worked closely with various Saudi charitable organizations and Saudi committees for Palestine, Iraq and Sudan before he began working with WFP. During his tenure as Special Ambassador, he participated in and led a number of humanitarian missions to Pakistan, Cambodia and Indonesia, as well as to West and East Africa, and helped enhance ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the international humanitarian system. He demonstrated strong interest in and commitment to humanitarian affairs and charitable causes. Prior to his service to the United Nations, Mr. Arrukban served as the General Manager of Al Thiyab Transport Company, a leading Saudi Arabian transport company based in the capital, Riyadh, from 2001 to 2005.  From 1995 to 2001, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Express a private chemical transport company based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Q2. What will his role be?
A2. As Special Humanitarian Envoy, Mr. Arrukban will act as a bridge between United Nations humanitarian agencies and the Middle East/North African humanitarian players to enhance partnerships with countries in that region. These partnerships include capacity building through training in disaster response, humanitarian action, and internationally established standards, as well as assisting these countries in increasing recognition and visibility of their efforts in assisting vulnerable and affected populations.  He will also help raise awareness of the needs of countries affected by humanitarian crises around the world and promote the UN’s humanitarian work in the Middle East and North Africa. His initial appointment is for one year.

Q3. Who will be responsible for working with him?
A3.  He will be supported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs during this period and will report to the Secretary-General through the Emergency Relief Coordinator. It should be noted that he will work for the UN humanitarian system as a whole.

Q4. Will he engage in fund raising as he did for WFP?
A4. While fostering collaboration does not rule out fund raising, his primary focus will be on enhancing humanitarian partnerships in various ways. While doing so he will of course contribution to strengthening links and cooperation with all agencies including WFP.

Q5. Will he also serve as a peace broker for Middle Eastern/North African crises?
A5.  Mr. Arrukban’s role will remain purely humanitarian.

Q6. What role will Mr. Arrukban play in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Iraq?
A6.  Mr. Arrukban’s role in the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, or any other country specific context in the Middle East and North Africa, would be limited to those tasks spelled out in Question 2.

 

Q.7 Is this the first time the Secretary-General has appointed a Special Humanitarian Envoy?
A.7 No. Recent Special Humanitarian Envoys of the Secretary-General have, for example, included Martti Ahtisaari (Horn of Africa); Catherine Bertini (Middle East); Kjell Magne Bondevik (Horn of Africa); Robert Sherwood Dillon (Rwanda and Burundi); Carolyn McAskie (Cote d’Ivoire); James Morris (Southern Africa); Ross Mountain (Mozambique); Tom Eric Vraalsen (Sudan). One should however note that this Special Envoy will focus on building and strengthening partnerships and cooperation and will not deal with issues related to operations.

A.8 Is this the first time the Secretary-General has appointed a Saudi, or more broadly, a Muslim Special Humanitarian Envoy?
A.8 I would think so.  
                
Q.9 Are Special Humanitarian Envoys paid a salary?
A.9 If they are not already employed by the UN system, their travel expenses are paid for, and they receive a per diem for days worked.