Omar Farooq
Omar Farooq
Omar interviewing a Sudanese refugee, Fairuqz, in Renk, South Sudan.
About Omar
A long-standing supporter of UNHCR since 2017, Omar Farooq is one of the MENA region’s leading digital creators and filmmakers, reaching over 18 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and X.
Through his content, Omar shares his passions for travel, adventure, film, and the arts, while also championing causes close to his heart, including philanthropy, education, and community building.
Widely recognised as a leading voice among ambitious young Arabs, Omar is known for his popular Omar Tries series, where he immerses himself in different professions and real-life experiences, consistently resonating with audiences across the Gulf. In 2017, he was awarded the GCC Medal of Youth Excellence by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He is also the founder of Atnafas, a creative agency specialising in purpose-led storytelling, media, and production.
Omar speaking with Sudanese families in Adre, Chad.
Omar visiting a school for Sudanese refugees in Farshana, Chad.
Omar meets new arrivals from Sudan on the Chad border.
Omar meets with a Sudanese victim of SGBV in Farshana, Chad.
Omar with a young child at the border of Sudan and South Sudan.
Activities and missions with UNHCR
Omar first partnered with the organisation through a field mission to Bangladesh to raise awareness of the Rohingya refugee crisis. Since then, he has supported several of UNHCR’s flagship digital campaigns, including Ramadan and winter appeals, alongside multiple field missions aimed at amplifying global displacement crises.
In 2024, Omar travelled to Renk in South Sudan to spotlight the Sudan emergency, producing a long-form YouTube documentary alongside short-form content across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. His Sudan campaign helped support approximately 315 displaced families with core relief items, while the content later contributed to UNHCR’s 2025 Ramadan campaign, helping raise funds to support a further 300 families.
Building on this momentum, Omar travelled to the Chad-Sudan border in October 2025, where his on-the-ground storytelling and clear calls to action helped raise funds supporting 1,044 displaced families through UNHCR’s Zakat programme.
Across his missions, Omar’s content has reached millions, strengthening public understanding of forced displacement while translating awareness into meaningful action and support for refugees.
As a Goodwill Ambassador, Omar plans to continue advocating for the Sudan emergency and other underfunded crises through impactful storytelling and fundraising campaigns.
He also hopes to support refugees through an education-focused approach by developing both online and offline digital training initiatives centred on storytelling, media production, and content creation.
News and highlights
Find the latest news and key highlights about Omar's work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.