The death of Aidan O’Leary, born in Dublin and resident of Galway and the Irish head of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Polio Eradication Programme, was announced on Tuesday evening while he was holidaying with his family. He was 59. The official announcement was made on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s website.
Celebrated as an inspirational leader, Aidan was at the forefront of the global fight against polio in his role as director of the WHO Polio Eradication Programme. His relentless work towards the upliftment of humanity preceded his current role.
Aidan had joined the Polio Eradication Programme in January 2021 and had served at key positions at the United Nation’s offices for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq before that.
His prior experience also saw him being stationed in Gaza, where he held the position of deputy director of operations for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (Unrwa).
Reacting to Aidan’s untimely death, WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his deep sorrow, labelling Aidan as an exceptional humanitarian, dedicating his efforts to aiding highly vulnerable communities in some of the world’s most challenging regions in an effort to eradicate polio. Tedros referred to Aidan’s death as a tremendous loss for WHO, the United Nations and the entire human race.
Aidan is survived by his wife and their two children.