Wendy Jean Chamberlin (born 12 August 1948) is an American retired diplomat who worked for the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was the deputy to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) from 2004 to 2007, before presiding over the Middle East Institute from 2007 until 2018. She held two ambassadorial appointments, to Laos (1996–1999) and Pakistan (2001–2002).
Career
US Department of State
1975 – Foreign Service officer Various offices: Office of Israel and Arab-Israeli Affairs Acting Director of Regional Affairs Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau Special Assistant for South Asian Affairs to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs Staff worker for Deputy Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs 1993 – 1996 – Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1996 – 1999 – Ambassador to Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic). 1999 – July, 2001 – Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) July 18, 2001 – June, 2002 – United States Ambassador to Pakistan.
USAID
December 2, 2002 – Appointed Assistant Administrator. Served as head of the USAID Asia and Near East Bureau.Wendy Chamberlin Sworn in as Head of USAID's Asia and Near East Bureau USAID December 22, 2003 – Ends tenure with USAID to move to UNHCR.USAID Assistant Administrator Appointed United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees USAID
UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR)
December 12, 2003 – Appointed as Deputy High Commissioner on Refugees by High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers.Wendy Chamberlin appointed Deputy High Commissioner UNHCR January 19, 2004 – Officially welcomed as Deputy High Commissioner.UNHCR welcomes veteran diplomat as new Deputy High Commissioner UNHCR February 24 – June 2, 2005 – Appointed as acting High Commissioner on the retirement of Ruud Lubbers. Served until the appointment of former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres.High Commissioner Lubbers departs UNHCR UNHCRNew UNHCR chief meets staff in Geneva UNHCR February 25, 2005 – Called for donations and humanitarian aid to prevent suffering in South Sudan.Chamberlin urges quick donor response to avoid further human misery in South Sudan UNHCR April 1–22, 2005 – Toured refugee camps in Sudan and Chad, where women expressed their fears of returning home. She urged Sudan to protect its own citizens.We are terrified to go home, Darfur women tell Chamberlin UNHCRSudan must protect own citizens, says Chamberlin after visiting IDP camps UNHCRChamberlin concludes Sudan/Chad trip UNHCR April 25, 2005 – Speaking from Geneva, she emphasized the need for funding and to bring security to the war-torn region of Darfur in Sudan.Security, funding crucial for Sudan/Chad situation, says Chamberlin UNHCR June 22, 2005 – Presented the Nansen Refugee Award to Marguerite "Maggie" Barankitse, known as the "Angel of Burundi."Statement by Wendy Chamberlin, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, at the 2005 Nansen Refugee Award, Brussels, June 22, 2005 UNHCR April 16–21, 2006 – Traveled to Pakistan to view earthquake survivors and Afghan refuge camps.Quake survivors share concerns, hopes with UNHCR deputy chief UNHCRChamberlin completes Pakistan visit with registration deal for Afghans UNHCR December 18, 2006 – Visits refugee camps in Kenya where Somalis have fled both war and flooding.Deputy High Commissioner Chamberlin visits flood-hit camps in Kenya UNHCR
Middle East Institute March 1, 2007 – Assumes presidency of the Middle East Institute.Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin Named New President of the Middle East Institute Middle East Institute
References
External links Biography – US State Department
Search Results for "Wendy Chamberlin" at UNHCR, sorted by date The Political Graveyard