Helena Christensen
Helena Christensen
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Helena Christensen, Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, travelled to Colombia and met with Luzmila Ismare, the coordinator of the Indigenous internally displaced women's association of Union Wounaan.
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About Helena
Helena Christensen, photographer and international model, was appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 after four years of dedicated support.
Renowned for her career as a supermodel, Helena is also a distinguished internationally renowned photographer. As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Helena uses her creativity to support UNHCR in telling the stories of the forcibly displaced and building empathy for refugees.
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Field visit to Colombia
In April 2023, Helena travelled to Colombia with UNHCR, where she met with indigenous Wounaan people in Chocó and Venezuelan refugees in Quibdo. Helena was reunited with Maribeth Palacios Lopez, a refugee and single mother whom she had first met eight years prior. The reunion was incredibly emotional; Helena listened to Maribeth recount her suffering as the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change hit her community hard.
Helena also met with trans activist María Victoria, who risks her life daily in Colombia to teach local communities about the lives of transgender people and how they are affected by displacementLink is external. The pair formed an instant connection.
On her return home, Helena appealed to the public: "I hope you join me in showing solidarity for Maribeth, and all the forcibly displaced people worldwide who are looking for safety and hope away from home."
Helena also spoke with several internationally renowned outlets about her time in Colombia, including Harper’s Bazaar and People Magazine. Channelling her creativity to share the experiences she heard, Helena authored a feature piece on her reunion with Maribeth, published in British VogueLink is external, Vogue Scandinavia, and Vogue Latin America.
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Helena Christensen met with Floriselda Chamapuro, an internally displaced person now living in the Quibdo region, north west Colombia. Floriselda makes and sells jewelry to be able to pay for food and schooling for her kids.
Helena's engagement over the years
News and highlights
Find the latest news and key highlights about Helena's work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.