Mesfin Teklu Tessema

Mesfin Teklu Tessema

Dr. Mesfin Teklu Tessema is the senior director of health at the International Rescue Committee. He has more than 24 years of experience in the areas of public health, nutrition, international development, and humanitarian affairs. He is IRC’s senior policy and programmatic leader in health and responsible for managing the health team, which delivers high-quality technical support to more than 40 IRC country offices and the emergency response team

Latest Articles

Opinion: How to tackle the health impacts of the climate crisis

Opinion: How to tackle the health impacts of the climate crisis

about 2 years ago // Global Health

With a first Health Day planned on Dec. 3 at COP 28, here is a road map to promote climate justice by tackling health disparities deepened by the climate crisis in fragile settings.

Opinion: War in Ukraine is driving a malnutrition crisis. Enter RUTF

Opinion: War in Ukraine is driving a malnutrition crisis. Enter RUTF

over 3 years ago // Food Systems

We must increase the supply of lifesaving ready-to-use therapeutic food and ensure that access to this treatment is available in vulnerable communities such as countries in the Horn of Africa, IRC's Dr. Mesfin Teklu Tessema writes in this op-ed.

Opinion: Without urgent action, billions will miss out on a COVID-19 vaccine this year

Opinion: Without urgent action, billions will miss out on a COVID-19 vaccine this year

almost 5 years ago // COVID-19

Mesfin Teklu Tessema, senior director of health at the International Rescue Committee, urges the incoming Biden administration to commit $20 billion in aid to fight COVID-19 globally.

Opinion: A new dawn for hungry children

Opinion: A new dawn for hungry children

over 6 years ago // Malnutrition

Child nutrition programs are fraught with challenges — but a new era of political will to fight child hunger could change that. International Rescue Committee Senior Director Mesfin Teklu Tessema explains.

Can you hear me now? How the world's governments are children playing Minecraft

Can you hear me now? How the world's governments are children playing Minecraft

over 10 years ago // #WHA68

Like children who inadvertently ignore their parents because they are focused on the games they're playing, governments seem blind to the needs of local communities, World Vision's Director of Child and Maternal Health Mesfin Teklu Tessema writes in this op-ed for #WHA68.

An unparalleled opportunity to improve the health of the most vulnerable. Will we take it?

An unparalleled opportunity to improve the health of the most vulnerable. Will we take it?

about 11 years ago // #HealthyMeans Living Longer

The emerging post-2015 global development agenda should focus on the health of children below 5 and require free, universal civil registration, writes Dr. Mesfin Teklu Tessema, a vice president with World Vision, in a guest commentary for #HealthyMeans.