GENEVA — A former Ethiopian political prisoner, who made a new life for himself in Ottawa after arriving as a refugee in 1992, is the new head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Bekele Geleta’s new position as secretary-general of the world’s largest humanitarian organization was announced late Wednesday.

The organization co-ordinates the relief efforts of more than 186 member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

Geleta, 64, is currently the general manager of international operations for the Canadian Red Cross. He spent five years in prison in Ethiopia.

After coming to Canada as a refugee, he started to build a career in humanitarian work.

Source: Canwest News Service