Unicef names 19-year-old Syrian refugee as youngest goodwill ambassador

Refugee and education activist Muzoon Almellehan said when she fled Syria she only took her school books with her.

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.

Syrian refugee and education activist Muzoon Almellehan visits a classroom at Yakoua school in Bol, Lake Region, Chad, Friday 21 April 2017. (© UNICEF/UN060490/Sokhin)

Unicef deputy executive director Justin Forsyth said that Muzoon is the first goodwill envoy with 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 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.

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

Working with Unicef, she said, will help to “give these children a voice and to get them into school.”