Dr. Sherin Varkey is the World Bank Program Leader for Human Development for Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and Eritrea. Sherin is an Indian national with over twenty-two years of experience in development programming and humanitarian leadership. Under his leadership, the World Bank will build on its strong partnership, financing, operational and technical support to address the challenges faced by countries in enhancing their human capital. Priorities include supporting efforts to boost learning, nutrition and health outcomes, support jobs, skills and livelihoods, improve social safety nets, increase resilience to climate change. In this position, Sherin will also lead the uptake of innovations, promote convergence of human development programs with other sectors and engage with development partners and diverse stakeholders in strategic dialogues for inclusive policies and effective implementation of Health, Education and Social Protection programs.
Prior to this position, he served as a Senior Health Specialist with the World Bank in Washington DC and supported countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region for COVID-19 response, health system strengthening and led the World Bank health operations and analytics in West Bank and Gaza and Yemen, while also supporting operations in Lebanon and Iraq.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Sherin served in various capacities with the United Nations (UNICEF) in India, Timor-Leste, DPR Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen. In Yemen, he led a large country operation delivering lifesaving services and cash transfers for the vulnerable children and families affected by the conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Dr. Sherin Varkey is a medical doctor and has specialized in public health sciences, including health sector policy and health economics. He has published in various peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to significant research in the areas of Health and Nutrition systems, social sector reforms and delivery science of social sector services in FCV contexts.
