In Memorium, Yves Chartier

Geneva — We are deeply saddened to report to you that our friend and colleague Yves Chartier died in a tragic accident in the Jura mountains while snowshoeing with his family outside of Geneva this past Sunday January 8.

For many years Yves has been WHO's leader on medical waste management and mercury-free healthcare. He was co-creator and co-leader of the WHO-HCWH Global Mercury-Free Healthcare Initiative, and WHO's point person for the UNDP-GEF Global Healthcare Waste Project, in which HCWH is a principle cooperating agency. He was also responsible at WHO for water and sanitation in health care centres and schools.

Many in the HCWH community were close to Yves, having worked with him and spent time with him in places ranging from Daakar and Geneva, to Berkeley and Katmandu. We will miss him dearly.

Before he came to WHO, Yves worked with Médecins sans Frontières. His strong humanitarian streak came to expression at its best in emergency situations created by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Many will remember his dedicated efforts on the ground in the wake of the Haiti earthquake.

Yves loved humans, he loved nature, and he loved our Planet. It is a small comfort that his spirit was close to nature when he met his destiny, and hopefully that positive sparkle will accompany his spirit in the journey he has now begun.

Yves was 53 and leaves behind his wife and two children. His family have requested that, instead of flowers, donations be offered to support Yves' personal charity projects. For those who would like to send tributes, pictures or other memories of Yves, a Gmail account has been created: rememberingyves@gmail.com