GENEVA – United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths, who recently pushed for more humanitarian access to Gaza, plans to step down at the end of June for health reasons, a UN spokesman said on March 25.

Mr Griffiths is a British diplomat who has headed the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) since 2021.

Mr Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, did not disclose the nature of Mr Griffiths’ health concerns.

“He advocated tirelessly for life-saving aid to reach those most in need and for the resources needed to do so,” Mr Haq said in a statement.

“A skilled diplomat and mediator, he has played a key role in leading the humanitarian response of UN and partners and negotiating solutions to some of the most intractable crises.”

In a post on X, Mr Griffiths said he had informed Mr Guterres of his intention to step down in June but did not provide a reason for his decision.

“To everyone at @Unocha, it’s been the privilege of my life. I am deeply in your debt,” he wrote.

“To all partners and supporters, thank you for championing the cause of people in crises.”

Mr Griffiths had previously served as the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Yemen, and as an adviser to all three of the UN secretary-general’s special envoys for Syria, among other roles. REUTERS