Hollywood is filled with celebrities eager to lend a helping hand to those in need. The list of A-listers who have been actively taking part in making the world a better place includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Oprah Winfrey. Husband and wife duo Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been vocal in their causes and in encouraging others to contribute. Even controversial teen idol Justin Bieber fulfilled his part in helping people from struggling countries. Recently, two new Hollywood stars join the list: Sacha Baron Cohen and wife Isla Fisher.
Cohen and Fisher donated $1 million to aid children refugees, as reported by USA Today. The amount will be divided into two charitable organizations, namely, the Save The Children group and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
The donation to the Save The Children program will be used to provide vaccinations against measles among children in the northern portion of Syria. Approximately 250,000 vaccinations will be granted to the refugee children, who have been forced out of their homes due to attacks that started in 2011.
"By allowing us to make their generous donation to Syrian children public, Sacha and Isla are helping highlight the tragedy of the issue today," shared Justin Forsyth, the CEO of Save the Children, in an official statement. He added, "These are desperate times for Syrian families facing bombs, bullets and torture in Syria. The couple's donation will save many thousands of lives and protect some of the most vulnerable children."
Forsyth went on to state, "The Syrian conflict is now approaching its fifth year and children are the first victims. Syria's health system has collapsed and deadly childhood diseases - like measles - which had previously been all but eradicated have now returned, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of children."
Meanwhile, the amount given to the IRC will be used to fund the health care and sanitation system of the children refugees. This will also cover expenses for their education and shelter concerns. The IRC is headed by David Miliband, who is the former UK foreign secretary.
"Sacha and Isla's donation is a great expression of humanity, and a challenge to do more for the most vulnerable," said Miliband in the statement. The CEO of the IRC added, "I hope it is an example to many others seeking practical ways of making a difference during the Christmas and New Year season."
Miliband also urged others to look into ways of helping out the refugees. He shared that there is a heightened need to extend support to these victims as their lives have been altered by the terror attacks.
"Now is the time for all of us to double down on commitments to civilians caught up in the Syria conflict," said Miliband. He added, "These people are the victims of terror. As hope for the end of conflict recedes, it is all the more important to meet the most basic human needs."
Aside from its team in Syria, the Save The Children program also works with victims in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. The IRC also has teams working with those in need in the neighboring areas of Syria and Greece.
