NBA Champion and Knicks Legend Jeremy Lin Travels with UNICEF USA to See UNICEF Programming in the Philippines
NEW YORK/MANILA (July 7, 2026) – NBA champion, Knicks legend and UNICEF Ambassador Jeremy Lin recently visited UNICEF program sites in the Philippines where he saw work that supports child nutrition, immunization, mental health, early childhood development, education and youth engagement. Commemorating his fifth year as a UNICEF Ambassador, his visit to San Antonio Municipality, Quezon and Muntinlupa City provided him with the opportunity to learn directly from UNICEF experts, partners, children and their families.
“It has been an honor to serve as a UNICEF Ambassador for the last five years, but nothing compares to seeing this work in person,” said Lin. “What stood out to me most in the Philippines was how deeply rooted everything is in community, neighbors, health workers, and teachers all showing up for kids every day. It reminded me that real impact isn’t abstract. It’s built intentional actions at both the grassroots and government level.”
The Philippines continues to face a triple burden of malnutrition. First, undernutrition persists, with an estimated 2.6 million children stunted and 600,000 wasted. Second, micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread, with nearly half of children under five living in food poverty or lacking a diverse diet. Third, overweight and obesity are rising rapidly, with 13 percent of children aged 5–10 affected, reflecting a growing shift toward unhealthy diets and food environments. UNICEF, in partnership with the government, provides technical assistance to turn national nutrition policies into local action. Community health workers are equipped with the training needed to monitor child nutrition, allocate budget, track progress across municipalities, and take action to support vulnerable children.
“I visited the Barangay Arawan health station, a community-based primary care facility providing local residents with essential health services such as maternal care, immunizations, nutrition screening, and practicing good hygiene,” said Lin. “Something as simple as handwashing is so important to significantly reduce the risk of illness and help develop habits that protect a child’s health as they grow.”
Extreme weather events can affect children’s ability to survive, learn, play, and thrive, especially in typhoon-prone communities. During his visit to San Antonio National High School, Lin saw students learning about climate risks such as heatwaves and typhoons. The lessons covered emergency preparedness and age-appropriate ways to cope with the fear and uncertainty these risks can bring.
He joined students during a physical education class, highlighting the importance of movement, play and sports in supporting children’s mental well-being. UNICEF provides technical assistance at national policy level, so schools can be more climate-resilient, and can promote mental health and psychosocial support - this includes psychological first aid, an evidence-based approach that helps children process fear, reduce emotional distress and strengthen coping skills following emergencies.
“Being able to participate in a physical education class with the students reminded me how powerful play can be and how it gives kids the freedom to just be kids,” said Lin. “As I mark my fifth year as a UNICEF Ambassador, it is an honor to meet these young people, learn from them and hear their experiences in their own voices.”
He also learned about U-Report, a digital polling platform where more than 25,000 young people in the Philippines voice their views on issues, such as mental health and climate resilience, shaping policy makers’ decision making.
Lin has supported UNICEF USA and their mission to pursue a more equitable world for every child since 2020, advocating for children’s mental well-being and right to play, and was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in 2021.
to learn more about UNICEF USA visit www.unicefusa.org
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About UNICEF USA
UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, please contact:
Julianne O’Connell, UNICEF USA, joconnell@unicefusa.org