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‘Any skill you have has the potential to help somebody…'

16 June 2025

Dr Khaleda Zaheer (MClinDent Periodontology, 2024) is the Chief Executive Officer of Refugee Crisis Foundation and the recipient of our In Service accolade at the 2025 King’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. She leads pioneering healthcare and education initiatives in refugee camps in Bangladesh, Gaza and Afghanistan. Khaleda works alongside UNICEF, United Nations, government bodies, Royal College of Surgeons of England and local NGOs.

A group of five people in smart, formal clothes stood outside a building on The Strand campus of King’s College London. Two of these are men in suits and three of them are women.
Khaleda (second from left) and Dr Husam Zomlot (centre), Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, at her recent event focused on rebuilding higher education in Gaza

You’ve had a busy last six months with Refugee Crisis Foundation…

Yes. I organised an event at King’s College London focused on rebuilding higher education in Gaza. We hosted a panel discussion on how the UK can contribute, and why advocacy and partnerships are so important.

Our keynote speaker was Dr Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, who reminded us that education is a lifeline in Gaza. We also heard from PalMed Academy, our partner organisation, which has been supporting the training of thousands of healthcare students in Gaza.

What was the key message of the event?

We wanted to show that, despite the ongoing war, there are organisations working tirelessly to support clinical training for healthcare students in Gaza. It’s vital to ensure that students can complete their studies and graduate, so they can join the frontline workforce.

A man in a dark suit stands at a podium inside a lecture theatre at King’s College London. On a large screen behind him is an image with a caption that identifies the speaker as Dr Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK
Dr Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, was a guest speaker at the recent event on rebuilding higher education in Gaza

You also held a fundraiser…

Yes. I’m co-leading the dental education programme to support around 1,500 students from Gaza’s two dental schools. Their education has been on hold for 19 months, with no support. We held a fundraising dinner to help them complete their clinical training while providing free dental care to those in need. It was an incredible night. We raised £180,000!

You’re heading to the Houses of Parliament, too…

I’m organising an evening reception to showcase our projects in Bangladesh, Gaza and Afghanistan, particularly in the health and education sectors. The aim is to raise awareness, expand our network and build support for our initiatives. We’re inviting MPs, charities, academics and organisations such as the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

You started out working in refugee camps in Calais and Bangladesh. How has your role evolved?

I first volunteered in the camp in Calais, France, aged 20, simply acting as an interpreter for dentists. That weekend changed my life. I always remind people that you don’t need to be a doctor to make a difference. Any skill you have can help someone.

A decade later, my role has grown. I now focus on leadership, building partnerships, securing funding and advocacy so that we can scale up our impact.

A young woman wearing a red coat and a pink headscarf smiles at the camera
‘I feel incredibly fortunate to combine my clinical, academic and humanitarian skills,’ reveals Khaleda

Are you enjoying these new challenges?

Absolutely. I feel incredibly fortunate to combine my clinical, academic and humanitarian skills. My newest project is training healthcare workers in Afghanistan, with support from the Ministry of Public Health. We’re preparing to train ear surgeons and provide oral healthcare to under-served populations. I hope to visit next year.

What’s been your biggest lesson?

Understanding local context is key. It’s not enough to have great ideas from afar. Every project starts by working with local partners and experts. That’s how we decolonise global health and ensure our work is truly impactful.

Read more about the other winners of the 2025 King’s Distinguished Alumni Awards.

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