Luis Gerardo Méndez
Luis Gerardo Méndez
Luis Gerardo Méndez
Luis Gerardo Méndez is a Mexican actor and producer who has supported UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, since 2020 and became a Goodwill Ambassador in 2023.
He first showed his support for refugee issues with Proyecto Habesha, a UNHCR partner based in Aguascalientes city in central México. The organisation is focused on creating higher education opportunities for young refugees, through an innovative complementary pathways program that facilitates access to university education for displaced youth.
During the early and most difficult stages of the pandemic in March 2020, Luis Gerardo raised awareness about the increasing risks faced by refugees and asylum seekers. He highlighted how displaced people are more likely to be impacted by COVID, due to a lack of access to medical services and hygienic facilities, or the ability to isolate.
In early 2022, Luis Gerardo travelled with UNHCR to Tapachula, a border city located in the south of Mexico. There, he met refugees, heard their stories, and visited the shelters where they can find safety while waiting for their asylum requests to be processed. He also learned about procedures refugees need to follow to start the asylum process.
Luis Gerardo´s career started at a very young age, acting in theatre in México. Now he stars in some of the most popular Hollywood films and Netflix productions, such as Narcos, Charlie´s Angels, Murder Mystery, and Club de Cuervos.