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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 8 (UNHCR) - Sharjah's Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi was appointed as UNHCR's first Eminent Advocate at a ceremony this week in the Gulf state.

Her husband, Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, and other dignitaries attended the ceremony on Tuesday in Sharjah. As an Eminent Advocate, Sheikha Jawaher will help increase public awareness about refugees and the work of UNHCR, with a special focus on children.

"It is a tremendous honour," she said, adding: "It also means our humanitarian efforts will get greater exposure in the international community, enabling us to mobilize greater support for refugees around the globe."

Sheikha Jawaher is well known for her humanitarian work and has devoted herself to helping victims of conflict, especially children. She chairs more than a dozen organizations working on behalf of vulnerable women and children.

Her Highness is a valued supporter of UNHCR and has provided the refugee agency with funding to provide health care for displaced Somali women. In February, she visited Geneva and discussed refugee issues with High Commissioner for Refugees Antï¿½nio Guterres and other senior UNHCR staff.