UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador MIYAVI Visits Front Lines of Refugee Support in Jordan, Calling for Continued International Aid

Syrian refugee children living in Amman, the capital of Jordan © UNHCR/Shawkat Al Harfoush In mid-May, musician MIYAVI, who serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, visited Jordan, a country that has accepted many refugees from neighboring countries. During his stay, he visited the capital city of Amman and the Za'atari refugee camp, witnessing firsthand the lives of people forced to flee their homes, and the importance of support from the international community and host countries like Jordan. Since his appointment as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2017, MIYAVI has visited refugee support sites around the world, including Lebanon, Bangladesh, Kenya, Thailand, and Colombia (more details here). As the sole Japanese Goodwill Ambassador, he continues to deliver the voices of displaced people to Japan and the world through his music and advocacy. During this visit, he interacted with people who had fled their homes and sought refuge in Jordan. He deepened his understanding of cash assistance that supports daily life such as rent, food, and medical expenses, community activities that promote refugee self-reliance, and health and medical services provided within the camp. A portion of this support is funded by aid from Japan. Visiting a refugee family in Amman to hear about their lives and daily challenges in an urban setting © UNHCR/Shawkat Al Harfoush In Amman, he also interacted through music with young refugees from Sudan and Iraq, as well as Jordanian youth, participating in a music course run by UNHCR's partner, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). It was a memorable time that highlighted the power of music to connect people across words and borders, and the resilience of people who do not lose their dreams and hopes even in difficult circumstances. A jam session with "refugee artists" from various countries was realized © UNHCR/Shawkat Al Harfoush Regarding his visit, MIYAVI said: "To be honest, every time I see news about the increasing number of refugees and the worsening situation, I sometimes feel helpless. But when I actually meet them in person, I feel that we are the ones who receive strength from their resilience in living and looking forward despite the harsh conditions." He continued about the people he met in Jordan: "I met parents working hard for their children, young people who love music and chase their dreams, and women striving to rebuild their lives in a foreign land. But the reality is that their lives are supported by aid from the international community." "Right now, that humanitarian aid is decreasing globally. Even if it takes time to find a solution, we cannot turn our backs on them. We need to continue our support until everyone can live in safety and sleep in peace. I think this is very important not only for the refugees but also for host countries like Jordan, which continue to support them with tolerance and compassion." Interacting with children at the Za'atari refugee camp through music and soccer © UNHCR/Shawkat Al Harfoush Maria Stavropoulou, UNHCR Representative in Jordan, stated, "MIYAVI's visit symbolizes the solidarity and support for refugees from the people of Japan. His sincere engagement and connection with people from diverse backgrounds are a great encouragement." Jordan is one of the world's top refugee-hosting countries, particularly accepting many refugees from neighboring Syria. Although there have been some movements towards returning to Syria since the collapse of the Assad regime in 2024, the situation remains unstable, and many people still need assistance. This visit took place amidst a severe decline in humanitarian funding. Japan, as a key donor country in Jordan, continues to provide support not only for refugees but also for the host communities. A community center in the Za'atari refugee camp operated with support from Japan © UNHCR/Aiko Maekawa Details of this visit are scheduled to be released on June 20th, "World Refugee Day." Please stay tuned. ▶Click here for the original press release (English) ■About UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Established in 1950. Works in over 130 countries in partnership with various organizations to internationally protect and assist refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless people. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. https://www.unhcr.org/jp/ ■About UNHCR Goodwill Ambassadors They work to raise public awareness and expand the circle of support for displaced people around the world. Musicians, actors, athletes, and others use their influence and expertise to broadly communicate UNHCR's activities. In Japan, artist MIYAVI was appointed in November 2017. https://www.unhcr.org/jp/miyavi-gwa.html