Dr. Osama Ali Maher is a public health expert and a dedicated advocate for communities in crisis.
With nearly 20 years of hands-on experience in humanitarian response, research, and policy development, he has made a significant contribution to saving countless lives around the world. As the Regional Technical Advisor at the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, he has been at the forefront of urgent responses to natural disasters and health emergencies, from the devastation in Darfur to the struggles in Gaza.
As an Associate Research Professor of Health, Humanitarian, and Disaster Response at UNU-INWEH, Dr. Maher combines academic rigor, operational experience, and policy leadership to contribute to research and education that tackle global water, environmental and health challenges within the framework of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
Throughout his career, Dr. Maher has enhanced public health and disaster preparedness by training field professionals in emergency risk management, chemical exposure, trauma care, and environmental health services during emergencies. He also contributed to shaping WHO’s strategic health emergency operations, including through the COVID-19 crisis. He is a certified trainer in UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) as well as Pre-deployment Health Readiness.
Beyond the UN system, Dr. Maher has played an active role in developing national and international climate-health policy. As a former Member of Parliament in Sweden, member of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Agriculture, and Deputy Chair of Malmö’s Environmental Committee, he contributed to creating integrated policies that link urban resilience, renewable energy, and public health protection.
Dr. Maher has a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Cairo University), a M.Sc. in Water Resources Engineering (Lund University), and a PhD in Limnology (Lund University).