Bahraini filmmaker and content creator Omar Farooq has been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), recognising nearly a decade of advocacy for people forced to flee their homes.
Farooq has worked with UNHCR as a High-Profile Supporter since 2017, using his digital platforms and documentary storytelling to bring the realities of displacement to wider audiences. His work has taken him across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, offering glimpses into the lives of refugees and the challenges facing communities affected by conflict and humanitarian crises.
His first engagement with the UN refugee agency was a visit to Bangladesh to raise awareness of the Rohingya refugee crisis. Since then, he has supported UNHCR’s flagship Ramadan and winter appeals, helping draw attention to emergencies around the world. His advocacy has included visits to the Chad-Sudan border and Renk, South Sudan, to highlight the impact of the Sudan crisis and the urgent needs of displaced populations.
Through long-form documentaries and digital content, Farooq has worked to make complex humanitarian issues more accessible, encouraging audiences to look beyond statistics and connect with the people behind the headlines. His efforts have also helped mobilise support for UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund.
Reflecting on his new role, Farooq emphasised the responsibility that comes with telling other people’s stories. “People’s stories have always taken me to places I could never have reached on my own, into their dreams, their struggles, and all they carry in their hearts,” he said. “Today, this role gives me a responsibility not only to listen, but also to amplify voices that may not yet have found their way to the world, and to serve as a bridge through which their stories can be shared, heard, and remembered.”
Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and UNHCR Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Farooq’s longstanding commitment to the agency’s work. “We are pleased to welcome Omar Farooq as a Goodwill Ambassador who has been a dedicated supporter of UNHCR for nearly a decade, and look forward to continuing our collaboration to raise awareness of displacement and mobilize support for those forced to flee,” he said.
In his new capacity, Farooq will continue advocating for refugees globally, with a particular focus on underfunded and protracted crises that risk receiving limited international attention. His appointment comes at a time of growing humanitarian needs and significant funding cuts, making public awareness and support increasingly important.
Beyond advocacy, Farooq is developing an education-focused initiative with UNHCR called Beyond Borders, designed to equip young refugees with the skills and tools to tell their own stories. The programme will combine practical training and mentorship with opportunities to connect participants with relevant professionals through Farooq’s network. It will also seek to increase the visibility of their work through his platforms and, where possible, facilitate access to resources.
The initiative reflects a broader ambition to help refugees build skills, develop their voices and access opportunities that support greater independence. It aligns with UNHCR’s 50 by 35 vision, which aims to help refugees experiencing long-term displacement in low- and middle-income countries move beyond aid dependency through self-reliance and sustainable solutions by 2035.
For Farooq, the appointment extends a commitment that began with bringing attention to individual stories and the realities of displacement. Through his filmmaking, advocacy and work with young refugees, he will continue to use storytelling not simply to inform audiences, but to create space for the people whose experiences too often go unheard.
