Lamia Essa Rantissi is a seasoned international development and humanitarian expert with a profound background in program formulation, program management, policy coordination, and development cooperation. With an academic foundation in Public Health and Nutrition, she has dedicated her career to advancing humanitarian aid, economic development, and policy reform efforts across the MENA region. Her extensive experience spans some of the most critical global development organizations, including the WHO, UNICEF, UNAMI, the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office (ECHO), Emergenza Sorrisi, and Caritas Jordan. Throughout her career, she has played a central role in designing, implementing, and managing large-scale programs addressing livelihoods, job creation, education, skills development, gender equality, peacebuilding, and public health interventions.

Her work is grounded in strategic policy design and hands-on implementation, including contributions to the EU’s Humanitarian Implementation Plan and the coordination of health sector responses during the Syrian crisis. As a former co-chair of the UN Health Sector Working Group in Jordan, she aligned health interventions with national priorities and strengthened coordination among stakeholders.

Lamia’s expertise extends to navigating complex regulatory and political landscapes, improving donor coordination, and addressing gender, social inclusion, and economic integration challenges. Through her leadership, she has led the design and execution of large-scale programs supporting refugees and vulnerable communities, particularly in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria, while fostering partnerships among governments, donors, and international agencies. Her roles at WHO and the EU’s ECHO Regional Office positioned her at the forefront of humanitarian policy coordination, cash assistance delivery, and strategic planning for crises such as Syria and Iraq. Lamia has overseen complex multi-sectoral projects covering livelihoods, education, health, peacebuilding, and WASH, while driving reforms to improve aid efficiency, donor coordination, and access to services. Her work also addresses systemic challenges such as gender inclusion, employment for refugees, and social protection. With a deep understanding of political and regulatory constraints, she continues to shape impactful, policy-driven development strategies that promote long-term stability, inclusion, and resilience.