BARBERTON, Ohio — Gigi and Bella Hadid, who are sisters and supermodels, said they will be donating their 2022 fashion week earnings to charities that are supporting Ukraine. The Hadid sisters have pledged earnings towards Ukraine while both being vocal about continuing to support Palestine too.
Refugees and Ongoing War
The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 threw the country into turmoil. Palestine has been experiencing ongoing tension with Israel for many years over land disputes resulting in violence for everyone involved.
The sisters consider that war negatively affected both Ukraine and Palestine are countries and that both need assistance. Gigi has been noted for saying that “A refugee crisis is a refugee crisis,” because of questions on their choice of which countries to support. The sister’s father is also of Palestinian descent which fuels some of their views on the situation.
Charities Receiving the Hadid’s Donations
UNICEF has specifically spoken about its work in Ukraine which even starting before the current war included support and supplies to the children. It has recently been providing health and medical needs for the families that the war affected along with other aid.
The many ways UNICEF brings help to war-torn countries is one reason the Hadid sisters pledge earnings towards Ukraine and want to donate through that agency. The agency’s “priority,” towards the Ukrainian children in crisis is one of her reasons, Harper’s Bazaar reported. She has commented on its work in Palestine too and how it has brought many children health care, clean water and educational resources.
Previous Work with UNICEF
Gigi is no stranger to UNICEF’s prior work as it has listed her as a supporter on its website. Her previous work with them may have also fueled her continuation in using them currently.
The oldest sister had originally traveled to Bangladesh in 2018 with the agency to a refugee camp in Rohingya. She went to mobilize support for the children’s programs and left teaming up with IMG models to continue support with the start of a Crowdrise page.
Then, in 2020, Gigi teamed up again with UNICEF to see its work in Senegal. During this time, she visited a shelter for girls and women, several schools among youth and health centers. She also checked in on the WASH program which focuses on hygiene education and water sanitation resources for the participants.
Much of UNICEF’s work in these areas is for the children and their families. Child protection, education resources for the kids and teachers, sanitation programs for the community, empowerment training or digital skill training for teenage girls and maternal health help are just among the work UNICEF is doing in Senegal.
Charity Runs in the Family
Out of the two, Gigi was first noted for pledging her donation but her little sister followed suit. Both did however post on social media also bringing more awareness to the issues.
Gigi’s Instagram post mentions following the lead of fellow model Mica Arganaraz, that she wanted something to “walk for” and her plan to send aid and support for Ukraine and Palestine through charities.
Bella’s post has a caption bringing awareness to the situation in Ukraine and ending with her saying: “I stand alongside every person that has been affected by this war and the innocent people whose lives have been changed forever from the hands of “power.” She ends with a heartfelt quote from Gigi and lists the countries with Ukraine and Palestine among countries, “dealing with power trippers.”
A Step Forward
The Hadid sisters’ pledge of earnings towards Ukraine and Palestine is just one example of celebrities wanting to help or bring awareness to issues they feel deeply about. The sister’s familial ties to Palestine cause them to advocate for related issues and Gigi’s previous humanitarian work shows that even fashion models can bring aid/support to countries in need. With the Hadids’ donation among others, UNICEF or other possible charities could help war-torn Ukraine and other countries with refugee relief or support for the children.
– Marynette Holmes
Photo: Flickr