In the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, announced the approval by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, of UNHCR’s request to renew her title as Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children for the next two years.
During a special ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, Grandi and other senior officials from the international agency hosted Sheikha Jawaher, along with an accompanying delegation. During the ceremony, Sheikha Jawaher and Grandi signed the renewal agreement of her title as UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children for the next two years.
The High Commissioner concluded the ceremony by presenting Sheikha Jawaher with the UNHCR’s Eminent Advocate Plaque.
The UNHCR confirmed that the renewal of Jawaher Al Qasimi’s title is a well-deserved international recognition of her significant role for over a decade with the UNHCR, and contributions in supporting refugees and displaced persons worldwide.
She has championed the well-being of refugee children, ensuring they and their families are provided with the means for a dignified life and a better future for over a decade.
The United Nations named Sheikha Jawaher as the first-ever Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children in 2013, in recognition of her lifelong commitment and initiatives to support and care for refugee children.
Her contributions have included launching initiatives to support emergency response campaigns, as well as sustainable humanitarian development projects, which have benefited many children, in addition to millions of young people, women, and displaced persons affected by conflicts around the world.
During the meeting, Sheikha Jawaher expressed her deep gratitude for the trust placed in her by the United Nations, praising the vital role of the UNHCR in addressing complex challenges and difficult circumstances faced by children in conflict-ridden areas around the globe.
She emphasised that this title represents a great responsibility to rally support and aid for millions of children and women who have been stripped of their status as secure citizens in their homelands, becoming refugees and displaced persons in an instant.
They were never the problem, but rather the victims of conflicts and ambitions that the world has been unable to adequately address.
The High Commissioner praised Sheikha Jawaher’s remarkable humanitarian role in advocating for children, refugees, and displaced persons, highlighting the significant achievements she has made in raising global humanitarian standards.
He also commended her dedication to embedding the concept of sustainability in humanitarian work through the programmes and projects she has supported in the most vulnerable communities.
Grandi affirmed that the efforts of Sheikha Jawaher, driven by her deep humanitarian commitment, have garnered significant support for refugee and displaced persons’ issues across many countries around the world.
He expressed his pride and gratitude in working alongside Her Highness to continue doing everything possible to improve the lives and futures of refugees.
Sheikha Jawaher discussed with Grandi the current humanitarian situation, particularly in Palestine, Lebanon and Sudan, that has exacerbated the suffering and challenges faced by refugees and displaced populations in these countries.
The discussion focused specifically on the mechanisms for delivering necessary aid to all areas in need, providing support to humanitarian and local organisations operating under difficult and complex conditions, and working on long-term plans to address the damage to the education, health, and essential services sectors.
On the sidelines of the renewal ceremony, TBHF collaborated with UNHCR to organise a panel discussion titled “Leadership in Change: Education and Empowerment for Refugees in Africa.”
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