William Barron

William Barron, a Public Health Engineer committed to poverty reduction, has over 30 years’ experience in humanitarian relief and aid development, with demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work effectively, creatively in difficult and diverse conditions and in varying cultural environments. Before laying the foundation of iMMAP in 1997, Mr. Barron worked for 12 years on water supply and sanitation for health projects.

In Haiti with Peace Corps (1985-1987), Mr. Barron provided technical assistance to the CARE-Haiti Community Water Systems and Sanitation Development Project (funded by USAID) completing engineering feasibility studies and designs for spring-fed gravity-flow water distribution systems.

In Cambodia with Oxfam Great Britain (1988-1990), Mr. Barron managed and monitored program operations of the Cambodian Government's Department of Hydrology, implementing ways to augment the capacity for communities to maintain hand pumps and to construct wells using low-cost appropriate techniques. Mr. Barron, formulated an emergency assistance program to provide water supplies for war displaced persons in western Cambodia on rural water supply development for settled and displaced communities.

In Pakistan with OXFAM Great Britain ((1990-1992), Mr. Barron coordinated the UNHCR Afghan Refugee Water Supply Program that was implemented by the Pakistan Public Health Engineering Department and non-governmental organizations, ensuring the provision of adequate quantities of safe water for approximately 2.5 million Afghan refugees in the Northwest Frontier and Baluchistan provinces.

In Pakistan with UNHCR (1992-1994), Mr. Barron oversaw, in collaboration with the World Bank and Government of Pakistan, implementation of the Third Phase of the Income Generating Project for Refugee Areas (IGPRA) in Pakistan. The project implemented rehabilitation/ infra-structural development activities in forestry, irrigation and road sectors; targeting refugee-impacted areas. Mr. Barron established (in collaboration with UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva) a forum of discussions with international agencies, funding agencies, and organizations in Pakistan on refugee aid and the environment.

In Pakistan with UNHCR (1995-1997), Mr. Barron planned, supervised, and evaluated programs of water supply, health, education for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, and voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan; assisting a caseload of up to 2.0 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Mr. Barron spearheaded, coordinated, and monitored a successful Community Management Program where approximately 75 Afghan refugee communities were mobilized and trained, technically and managerially, to take-over responsibility for operation and maintenance of piped water supply schemes. Mr. Barron Analyzed voluntary repatriation trends and identified key areas in Afghanistan to which return is obstructed. Provided relevant data on return to enable international agencies to better target assistance programs in Afghanistan. Advised the Tripartite Repatriation Commission (represented by the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and UNHCR). Designed/modified survey and reporting systems for determining the population of refugees in Pakistan and tracking the movement of refugees to Afghanistan.

Mr. Barron (1997-2006) worked on the development and implementation of the Landmine Impact Survey initiative at the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation. He then was closely involved in the expansion of the organization’s mission, the pioneering work of coordination and management of information in humanitarian emergencies and post-conflict areas.

Mr. Barron is a Co-founder of iMMAP, and as the Chief Executive Officer leads and maintains an effective and cohesive senior management team for iMMAP; sets the tone for the organization by exemplifying consistent values of high ethical standards and fairness; leads the organization in defining its vision; is the main spokesperson for the organization; and bears the chief responsibility in ensuring the organization meets its short-term operational and long-term strategic goals.

Mr. Barron received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University and his Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina’s School of Public Health at Chapel Hill.