UNICEF Names 19-Year-Old Syrian Refugee As Goodwill Ambassador

Muzoon Almellehan.

(Photo courtesy: UNICEF/Sokhin)

The UN children's agency on Monday announced the appointment of its youngest goodwill ambassador — 19-year-old Syrian refugee and education activist Muzoon Almellehan.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth said that Muzoon is the first goodwill envoy with an official refugee status.

UNICEF said she received support from the agency while she was living in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. She follows in the footsteps of the late actress and goodwill ambassador Audrey Hepburn, who was also supported by UNICEF as a child.

Muzoon said when she fled Syria, she only took her school books with her. She said:

As a refugee, I saw what happens when children are forced into early marriage or manual labor.

Working with UNICEF, she said, will help to "give these children a voice and to get them into school."

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