On Tuesday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced the arrival of Ines Chuma as the new UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya. Chuma takes over from Canadian Georgette Gagnon, who recently concluded her role. In addition to his new position, Chuma will serve as Acting Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator in Libya.
Chuma, a seasoned UN official with extensive experience in humanitarian coordination and development, will lead the UN Country Team and the Humanitarian Task Force in Libya. His arrival comes at a critical time as the country grapples with ongoing conflict and instability, which have left millions of people in need of humanitarian aid.
Ines Chuma, a Zimbabwean national, holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of California. He brings decades of experience in development, humanitarian work, and leadership roles within the United Nations.
Chuma most recently served as the Acting UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia. He previously held prominent roles such as Assistant Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Regional Director for Africa, and he also served as Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the UN Mission in Liberia from 2012 to 2014.
His career has also included roles as the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique, among other countries, where he worked closely on complex humanitarian and development challenges.
Ines Chuma’s arrival in Tripoli comes at a time when Libya is facing serious humanitarian and political challenges. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has experienced widespread instability, civil conflict, and political division. Despite multiple international peace efforts, rival factions continue to vie for control, leaving the country in a prolonged state of crisis.
Libya remains at a crossroads, with the potential for both recovery and further instability. While peace agreements have been brokered in recent years, the political and security environment remains volatile. Ines Chuma’s arrival marks a renewed commitment by the UN to support Libya in its journey toward peace and development.
