Atom Araullo

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About Atom

Atom Araullo was appointed as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in February 2019. He is one of the best known faces in broadcast journalism in the Philippines and has risen to prominence following his extensive coverage of forced displacement in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm to make landfall.

Atom began his journey as a UNHCR Philippines’ High Profile Supporter and advocate in June 2017. Earlier that year fighting broke out in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, forcing 353,000 persons to flee to neighboring localities. In two field missions, Atom joined UNHCR’s protection monitoring activities in various evacuation centers surrounding the city.

Following his visits, Atom made a call for help on behalf of families struggling to rebuild their lives. His visits also highlighted the humanitarian work of UNHCR to address urgent protection concerns of Marawi’s displaced.

On his first documentary for I-Witness, Atom drew attention to the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh and to the harrowing conditions that continue to pose challenges as they live in exile. His work catalyzed awareness of the Rohingya refugee crisis, the fastest growing refugee crisis today.

In July 2018, Atom travelled to Jordan, which is among the countries that host the highest number of Syrian refugees. His mission enabled him to learn more about the Syrian refugee crisis, as well as UNHCR’s operations that provide life-saving assistance, protection, and durable solutions to families who have taken refuge in the country. He also visited Azraq Refugee Camp, the second largest refugee camp for displaced Syrians.

In April 2019 Atom kick started the 2 billion kilometres to safety campaign which challenged participants across the globe to cover 2 billion kilometres, just as refugees do each year to reach the point of safety. He hiked Mount Nagpatong with other digital influencers in the Philippines to raise awareness for the campaign.

Atom returned to Cox's Bazaar camp in Bangladesh in August 2019 to highlight the pressing needs of the 900,000 refugees living there. Atom was able to see some of the activities supported by UNHCR to address the emerging challenges and needs of the refugees including education, monsoon response and water sanitation projects.

Atom is an avid supporter of UNHCR on social media and uses his platform to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and the work of UNHCR.

Recent support and field visits

Atom Araullo: "People who have little have the most to give"

Needs of displaced Marawi residents underscored on World Refugee Day 2018

Photo gallery

See photos from some of Atom's field visits, media appearances and events.

Atom Araullo on mission in the Philippines

Throughout 2017, broadcast journalist and UNHCR High Profile Supporter Atom Araullo has joined field missions in the Philippines and has staunchly advocated for campaigns of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

In Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, UNHCR Senior Emergency Policy Officer Alvin Gonzaga coordinates his activities that day with broadcast journalist and UNHCR High Profile Supporter Atom Araullo. This is a file photo taken November 2017

In this file photo taken November 2017, UNHCR High Profile Supporter Atom Araullo (left) joins UNHCR humanitarian workers to document the rapid influx of Rohingya refugees trying to enter the Bangladesh border after escaping violence in Myanmar.

UNHCR High Profile Supporter Atom Araullo interacts with school children at the Saguiaran Elementary School in the southern Philippines. Saguiarantown is the closest municipality to MarawiCity, where conflict broke out in May 2017

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UNHCR High Profile Supporter Atom Araullo shares a light moment with Fatima, who lost four of her seven children to the conflict in MarawiCity. This photo was taken more than six months since armed conflict broke out. Fatima tries to become resilient by focusing on her livelihood.

"As a journalist, I have also witnessed that no action is ever too small. All of us can act as individuals, either through a donation or an expression of solidarity; every action counts. The world needs a collective commitment to help those fleeing conflict, violence, persecution, and natural disasters," said Atom Araullo on World Refugee Day, 2017.

On World Refugee Day in 2017, broadcast journalist Atom Araullo joined UNHCR Philippines for the first time as High Profile Supporter and advocate. With him are former UNHCR Philippines Head of Office Yasser Saad (middle) and former Philippine Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III. Mr. Quezon is the grandson of a former President who helped rescue 1300 Jewish refugees from the Nazi persecution in the late 1930s.

"Rohingya refugees cross the border in Anjuman Para, Bangladesh. Many have walked for weeks in the forest to hide from the military. They are weak and exhausted upon reaching the border," writes UNHCR High Profile Supporter Atom Araullo of this scene he photographed whilst on mission with UNHCR, November 2017.

"A little girl plays with a ball at a community-based evacuation centerin Iligan City," writes Atom Araullo of this image he shot whilst on mission with UNHCR.