We Mourn the Death of Isidore Zongo
Isidore Zongo (*1962-†2017) was a special example of a new staff policy of Welthungerhilfe: a local colleague taking the post as country director and shaping the future of our national programme in Burkina Faso. He was killed during a terrorist attack in Ouagadougou.
It is not nationality that counts but professionalism and knowledge. Isidore Zongo's professional experience was tremendous. He started as a technical engineer and continued with a postgraduate degree in animal health and a master in tropical animal production in Belgium. He enlarged his knowledge with studies and trainings in environmental and climate strategies in different countries worldwide. With this background, he was the ideal colleague for various international organizations like UNDP.
Those who knew him describe him as a thoughtful almost shy person who would not take over discussions immediately or boost with his various publications on climate and environmental subjects. But he was a man of strong beliefs and values. Colleagues remember long discussions in the evening about how to support young people in his country and how important responsibility is in order to change things for the better. He was known as a man who took responsibility for his decisions and his team.
He joined Welthungerhilfe in 2011 as a national coordinator and took a leading role to reshape the country profile. He took over as country director just a year ago and it was his ability as a team leader and at the same time to cut old ties that a new start in Burkina Faso with a new vision was possible. He was also able to integrate the local focus into our programme philosophy. Isidore Zongo was well known within the donor and NGO community and respected as a highly professional country representative.
