UNHCR names Ahmed Shehata, longstanding supporter of refugees, as Eminent Advocate

NEW YORK - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is officially honouring Ahmed Shehata as an Eminent Advocate for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Eminent Advocates help to increase public awareness of the refugee cause and UNHCR's work.

This honour, bestowed during a ceremony on the margins of the 80^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, recognizes Shehata's long-standing and ongoing support for people forced to flee around the world, at a critical time when displacement is rising and vulnerabilities are increasing.

"UNHCR is honoured to recognize Ahmed Shehata as an Eminent Advocate. Over several years, Shehata has demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating for refugees both in his personal capacity and as CEO of Islamic Relief USA," said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. "Shehata is an essential voice promoting and mobilizing support for refugees around the world."

Today, more than 122 million people are displaced globally. With a shortage of funding, needs are growing rapidly and more voices are required to amplify the refugee cause.

"The plight of refugees and displaced people around the globe is too big for the world community to ignore," Shehata said. "Their struggles are overwhelming, and we must do everything in our power to provide them with the basic resources and tools needed to live a self-sustainable, dignified life. I'm honoured to be named as an Eminent Advocate for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. I look forward to raising awareness, generating support, and providing solutions that can improve the lives and conditions of refugees in increasingly complex environments."

As an Eminent Advocate, Shehata will help highlight UNHCR's work in support of displaced people through advocacy campaigns, operational visits and fundraising. Shehata served as Director of Fund Development at Islamic Relief USA before being appointed CEO for the organization.

The recognition builds on a strong relationship that Islamic Relief USA and UNHCR national partner, USA for UNHCR, have developed over the last few years.

About UNHCR

The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is an organization dedicated to saving lives, ensuring rights, and guaranteeing a dignified future for people who have been forced to leave their homes and communities due to war, climate disasters, armed conflict, persecution, or serious human rights violations. Present in 137 countries, UNHCR works with national and local authorities, civil society organizations, and the private sector to ensure that all refugees and internally displaced and stateless people find safety and support to rebuild their lives.

About USA for UNHCR

USA for UNHCR protects and supports refugees by mobilizing resources, elevating awareness, and driving action through a network of engaged supporters. Established by concerned American citizens, USA for UNHCR is a non-profit organization that strives to meet the unmet needs of the more than 122 million children, women and men who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution. As the only organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds in the U.S. for the UN Refugee Agency, USA for UNHCR has raised more than $700 million in cash and gift-in-kind revenue to help refugees in the past five years.

About IRUSA

Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), based in Alexandria, VA, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. IRUSA's mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.

IRUSA is on the US government's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the Code of Conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.