WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Dr. Statement by Hanan Balkhy
On behalf of the World Health Organization, we announce with deep sadness the tragic loss of one of our dedicated teammates, Engineer Emad Shehab, who died in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. It was early Tuesday morning when his building was hit during a series of airstrikes across the governorate. We offer our deepest condolences to Eng. Shehab's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.
Eng. Shehab, 42, had been serving as WHO's water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) focal point in Deir ez-Zor since 2022. He was a highly skilled professional who brought unwavering dedication and expertise to his task. His contributions to improving WASH conditions in healthcare facilities were invaluable, especially his important role in renovating the sewage system at Al Assad Public Hospital. His work on water quality testing in Deir ez-Zor, located just on the banks of the Euphrates River, was a critical part of outbreak detection and early response, including the cholera outbreak in Syria. Colleagues remember Eng. Shehab is extremely dedicated to this work; He spends hours in the field, often under challenging conditions, and sometimes even hand-carries water samples to central laboratories when necessary to ensure testing is done in a timely manner.
Eng. Shehab received his bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Aleppo. Prior to working with WHO, he had extensive experience in engineering and project management, working with FAO, WFP, UNICEF and a number of NGOs, overseeing a variety of construction and rehabilitation projects, many of which related to water stations and sanitation facilities.
Eng. Shehab's untimely death is not only a great loss for his loved ones, but also a reminder of the ongoing violence and suffering of the Syrian people. His legacy of service and compassion will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him. As we mourn his loss, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the Syrian people and honor Eng. To keep Shehab's memory alive by continuing the vital work to which he devoted his life. He is survived by his wife and two young children, who live in Damascus.
