Association of Former WHO Staff

Association of Former WHO Staff

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The Association of Former WHO Staff (AFSM) provides an information and support network to former WHO staff worldwide. 

The Association’s 4 main objectives are:

  • Information - Keeps former staff up-to-date with news and important developments related to pensions, health insurance and other matters of interest. Located at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, AFSM has ready access to other international associations of former UN staff, WHO Staff Health Insurance and the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund Geneva Office. 
  • Solidarity and assistance – Offers assistance and advice to individual former staff members who may need support on such matters as health insurance claims.  
  • Collective voice - Promotes the interests of members through their collective voice, with particular attention to pensions and health insurance.
  • Friendship - Organizes social and cultural activities, including an annual reception, to promote contacts and help develop and continue friendships among former colleagues. Since WHO former staff lead an active life travelling, writing, teaching, learning new things, and spending time with family and friends, we also try to provide useful information and contacts to enhance and enliven these activities. 


AFSM is organized by an Executive Committee of 12 members (and past Presidents) who serve for a term of two years. Members are welcome to be candidates for election. All members can vote in the elections held every second year.

- Composition of the AFSM Committee 2023-2024

The AFSM General Assembly is convened in alternate years, normally in October. The Executive Committee reports on activities and important issues. Members can provide suggestions and vote on issues.

Executive Committee Report, October 2023

 

 

Regional former staff associations

Some of the WHO Regions have former staff associations. AFSM provides support and encouragement to them and maintains close contacts.

African Region

AFSM-AFRICA

Initiated in March 2014, the African Region Former Staff Association AFSM-AFRICA was formally created in March 2020, during its first General Assembly, held on 29 May 2021. Attending were 128 participants representing 41 of the 46 countries of the African Region. So far the association meets monthly through a virtual platform and addresses issues relating to the retirees and their family well-being.

President: Kalula Kalambay
Email: kkalula@gmail.com

Vice president: Custodia Mandlhate
Email: diana.mandlhate@gmail.com

Secretary: Solange Kouepa
Email: beatricesolangeepa@gmail.com

 

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American Region

AFSM/PAHO

Association of Former PAHO/WHO Staff Members produces a quarterly newsletter and a membership directory.

President: Hernán Rosenberg.

Contact: afsmpaho@gmail.com

Address: AFSM c/o PAHO, 525 23rd Street NW, Washington DC 20037-2895, USA.

Website: Association of former PAHO/WHO staff members

 

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South-East Asia Region

AFSM/SEARO

The Association of Former Staff Members in the South-East Asia Region circulates e-mail news bulletins and produces a regular membership directory electronically. The Association, which used to have an office in SEARO in the past, does not have any office space and facilities such as IT, printing/mailing after the Covid-19 pandemic.

President: Mr M.R. Kanaga Rajan
Email: rajanmrk@gmail.com

Contact: afsm_searo@yahoo.com

 

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Western Pacific Region

AFSM/WPR

Formed in 2013, constituted as a non-profit organization in 2016, AFSM-Manila evolved in response to developments affecting retirees and former staff members. By July 2023, the Association became regional, covering retirees who have settled in the Philippines and elsewhere in the Western Pacific Region. Hence the name, Association of Former WHO Staff Members in the Western Pacific Region, better known by its acronym AFSM/WPR.

Officially recognized by WPRO through an MOU signed in October 2023, AFSM/WPR is the first Regional Association to have achieved recognition and institutionalization. AFSM/WPR holds office in the premises of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office.

President: Linda Milan

Secretary: Lydia Manuel

Contact: wproafsm@who.int

 

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Join AFSM

Anyone who has worked at WHO/PAHO/ICC/UNAIDS/IARC/UNITAID anywhere in the world can join AFSM. 

Life membership (CHF 250) or annual membership (CHF 25 per year for first 2 years only). After two calendar years maximum, former staff will need to convert to life membership if they wish to remain a member of AFSM.

- Membership application form

 

Contact information

Association of Former WHO Staff (AFSM)
World Health Organization Office L71
CH-1211 Geneva
+41 22 791 31 92
afsm_aoms@who.int

Permanence: As of January 2024, every Wednesday afternoon from 1.30 to 4 pm in office L-71.