Tanya Burr

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Tanya Burr visits Nigerian refugee and entrepreneur/lingerie designer Maria Igwebuike in her workshop in Ipswich, UK.

Tanya Burr standing on a high point overlooking a refugee camp.

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About Tanya

Actress, influencer, and entrepreneur, Tanya Burr has been supporting UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency since 2019. 

Tanya was announced as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2021 during her support for UNHCR’s World Refugee Day campaign, including handing over her Instagram account for the day to Syrian refugee Alaa to share her story with Tanya’s followers.

Tanya is committed to helping change the stigma around refugees and build empathy and understanding for those who’ve been forced to flee. As a mother, Tanya is also passionate about raising awareness for issues facing the millions of children who are forcibly displaced.

Recent support and field visits

In February 2020, Tanya visited Azraq camp in Jordan, home to thousands of Syrian refugees forced to flee due to conflict.  Raising awareness of the situation via social media and in multiple interviews, Tanya has raised funds for UNHCR’s Winter campaign.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tanya featured in UNHCR’s fundraising appeal for basic hygiene items, like soap, to help UNHCR prepare and prevent the spread of the virus in refugee and host communities.  

On International Women’s Day 2022, Tanya celebrated the contribution of women and girls around the world who are leading the charge to tackle climate change and build a more sustainable future for all. She met Maria Igwebuike, originally from Nigeria, now living in the UK after claiming asylum with her family, who owns a sustainable, ethically sourced, body-positive luxury lingerie label.

Tanya frequently uses her voice and digital platforms to support other UNHCR campaigns and key moments, including MADE51, World Refugee Day and the 70th Anniversary of the Refugee Convention through The Refugee Dictionary.