On a trip to Jordan in January 2018, TV presenter Raya Abirached visits Syrian refugees living in the Za'atari camp. © UNHCR / Esna Ong
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today announced the appointment of popular television personality Raya Abirached as Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Abirached has been working as a high-profile collaborator with UNHCR since 2017 and is a powerful voice and advocate for forcibly displaced people around the world.
Prior to his appointment, Abirached had been working closely with UNHCR on various campaigns and appeals. The first Arab woman to be named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, her involvement with UNHCR began in 2017 through MBC Hope, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of MBC Group. Since then, she has consistently advocated for refugee rights through her participation in UNHCR's winter and Ramadan campaigns, as well as various emergency appeals.
Speaking on the occasion, Raya Abirached said: "I feel deeply honored and humbled to have been chosen as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. I do not take lightly the responsibility and tasks ahead of me and I hope, with an open heart, to be able to make a small difference in the lives of those in need across our region. Thank you UNHCR for your trust."
Welcoming Abirached’s appointment as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Houssam Chahine, Head of Private Sector Partnerships at UNHCR in MENA said: “We are very pleased to honor Raya’s dedication and commitment, especially as this announcement is occurs during the holy month of Ramadan, where we impact the lives of refugees and advocate on their behalf."
He added: "Goodwill Ambassadors play a vital role in bringing the refugee cause closer to the public and we hope to continue inspiring more people in our region and globally to take action on behalf of refugees and internally displaced people, through of Raya's voice and platforms.
In addition to providing digital support to UNHCR over the past four years, Abirached has undertaken numerous initiatives to support refugees and internally displaced populations. These include his participation in field missions to Lebanon and Jordan, and the organization of 'Dafathon'; a live fundraising event to provide fuel to heat refugees' homes during the harsh winter season. This year, you will also be supporting UNHCR's global Ramadan campaign '#EverySecondCounts', which focuses on the incredible impact that people can create in seconds, on the lives of refugee and displaced families whose lives were turned upside down in a matter of seconds. moments and were forced to flee. their homes in search of safety.
Of Lebanese descent, Raya Abirached has been an established media personality in the Arab world for the past two decades and is well known for her celebrity interviews and hosting popular regional television shows. Abirached is a presenter and producer for MBC Group and one of the faces of the hit television talent show 'Arab's Got Talent', which she co-hosts. She also hosts 'Scoop with Raya', a show that brings audiences across the region the latest news and interviews from the world of Hollywood.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
Raefah Makki
Head of campaign and advocacy team, UNHCR
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. We provide life-saving assistance such as shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home, where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.