Arif Husain

Arif Husain

Dr. Arif Husain is a distinguished thought leader and seasoned practitioner within the global humanitarian and development sphere. He joined the World Food Programme (WFP) in 2003 and has since held many senior positions both in the field and the headquarters, accumulating extensive experience in conflict and post-conflict settings. His missions have taken him to numerous countries worldwide, including Afghanistan, Angola, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Liberia, Northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen.

Before his tenure at WFP, Dr. Husain served as a researcher at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Later, he transitioned to a role as an evaluator at the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group, which broadened his perspective on global development.

Currently, Dr. Husain’s role involves heading the Analysis, Planning & Performance division in WFP and providing strategic advice to global leaders on pressing economic issues and their impact on developing countries, guiding both humanitarian and development responses. His research interests span a wide array of topics, including the application of information technologies to enhance humanitarian and development response; understanding the intricate links between poverty, hunger, conflict, and migration; and analyzing how global economic challenges, conflicts, and climate shocks affect food security, social protection, and emergency and development assistance.

Dr. Husain holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics with a minor in Forestry, earned from the University of Minnesota. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, he was honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award by the University of Minnesota in 2021. Currently residing in Rome with his wife and two children, Dr. Husain remains dedicated to advancing his work in the realm of humanitarian and development economics, contributing significantly to making the world a better place.