Mercy Masika appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador

MASIKA-766x547
MASIKA-766x547
The UN Refugee Agency today announced the appointment of Kenyan gospel singer, Mercy Masika as its national Goodwill Ambassador (Kenya).

Since her involvement with the LuQuLuQu campaign, Masika has advocated for and supported UNHCR's work in protecting people forced to flee. This has included supporting public engagement and fundraising campaigns such as the launch of the LuQuluQu campaign in Kenya, the Step for Safety Public charity walks held across Africa, and performing at the first ever TEDx event held in a refugee camp - TEDx Kakuma Camp.

This past December, Masika participated in UNHCR's Christmas campaign calling on public support for refugees across Africa.

She takes on her role during a time when the world faces unprecedented forced displacement. Kenya currently hosts close to 480,000 refugees and asylum seekers with 78% of them being women and children.

Responding to her appointment Masika said ''It is a great honour and joy to be given this appointment. I intend to utilize my role as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador by relying on my faith as a child of God and my committment to support people forced to flee''.

''Refugees are just like you and me. They could in fact be any of us. I believe as an African community we have a responsibility to invoke the spirit of Ubuntu  that we carry each other's burdens by showing our warm heartedness in the face of a refugee's struggle''. Masika stated.