Dr. Rik Peeperkorn Global Health Expert

On 1 August 2013, Dr Rik Peeperkorn was appointed as WHO Representative in Afghanistan. He has been working for over 25 years in the field of international public health in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Prior to joining WHO, he managed the Netherlands’ health and HIV/AIDS support-programme portfolio in Tanzania (2005–2013). Before his assignment in Tanzania, Rik Peeperkorn worked as Associate Director, Country and Regional Support Department, with UNAIDS in Geneva (2002–2005) where he was responsible for the conceptualization and establishment of the UNAIDS Regional Technical Support Facilities, mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in development instruments and sector programmes, policy advice and programme guidance. He has held various positions at the different layers of the health system ranging from district, provincial to national level, and worked for local governments, universities, NGOs and UNICEF in various countries including, the Netherlands, Lesotho, Zambia, Madagascar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Rik Peeperkorn received his MD from the University of Amsterdam (1986), and obtained his MPH from Johns Hopkins University-School of Public Health (1992).