BA in Politics and Economics, Addis Ababa University; Master's in Economics, Leeds University. 1974-77, General Manager, Franco-Ethiopian Railway Company; 1978-82, political prisoner; Urban Development Officer, Irish Concern International; 1989-91, Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications; 1992, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Japan; 1994, Programme Manager, Care International, Kenya. With International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: 1995-2003, Head, Africa Department; 2004-07, Head, Regional Delegation for South-East Asia, Bangkok; 2007, General Manager, International Operations, Canadian Red Cross, Ottawa; since 2008, Secretary-General.