GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — Many celebrities, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, are looking to social media to help Ukraine by raising funds for Ukrainians and raising awareness of the situation. Some are supporting movements like #StandUpForUkraine while others are donating to the cause.
The #StandUpForUkraine Movement
The #StandUpForUkraine Movement is a social media campaign that started on April 8, 2022. Entertainment celebrities are using and urging others to use #StandUpForUkraine on their social media platforms as a way to urge “world leaders and institutions to launch funding for refugees in Ukraine and beyond.”
The movement also referenced the Stand Up For Ukraine event that took place in Warsaw, Poland, on April 9, 2022. Hosted by “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in partnership with Global Citizen,” the event “[raised billions in funding]to relieve the refugee crisis.” Some participating entertainers included Celine Dion, the Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Green Day, Alejandro Sanz, Barbara Streisand, the Black Eyed Peas, Carole King, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Fonsi and Michael Bublé, among others. All celebrities shared “heartfelt messages, urging [people to support]funding for Ukrainian refugees” and many more entertainers joined as the campaign took flight.
The British Royal Family Offers Aid
In March 2022, Queen Elizabeth II donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and, although the donation sum remains confidential, its impact is significant. A spokesperson from the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) commented on Her Majesty’s donation: “Many thanks to [Her Majesty] for continuing to support the Disasters Emergency Committee and for making a generous donation to the DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also shown their support for Ukraine. The Sussex Dukedom couple, through their Archewell Foundation, donated to various organizations helping Ukraine. Among these organizations are Helping Ukrainian Families Settle, World Central Kitchen, the World Health Organization (WHO) and The HALO Trust.
Ukrainian-Born Celebrities Help Their Nation
Maksim Chmerkovskiy has been “documenting his escape from [Ukraine] on social media, showcasing the horrible events taking place.” Chmerkovskiy also “partnered with CORE Response, a nonprofit that supports underserved communities across the globe through the crisis” to help its mission of providing “cash grants” to refugees to “support their resettlement.” His wife, Peta Murgatroyd, is also using her social media platform to raise funds for donations to Ukraine.
Milla Jovovich posted a heartbreaking message to Instagram while witnessing “the horror unfold[ing]” in her home country. She also shared a GoogleDoc in her Instagram profile’s bio section “with links to charities and organizations” her followers can use to provide aid to Ukrainians.
Actress Vera Farmiga showed her support by posting “a list of resources and organizations to support [Ukrainian’s] fight for freedom” on social media. These links included pages for donating, ongoing rallies to attend, informative documents and volunteer opportunities.
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina will donate all the prize money she wins in upcoming tournaments to “support the army and humanitarian needs” and help defend Ukraine. She recently announced her pledge to CNN and called the occasion a “very, very special event” for her. She also took to her platforms to thank people for their support of her and her country.
Athletes and Models Support Ukraine
David and Victoria Beckham have “launched an emergency appeal” through David’s 7 Fund for UNICEF, a nonprofit working to provide “immediate aid to support children and families affected” by the war in Ukraine. David has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005 and his 7 Fund is now focusing on the crisis in Ukraine.
Roger Federer donated $500,000 to “help children affected by the war in Ukraine.” He expressed his heartbreak at seeing the horrific pictures from the war and stated that both himself and his family “stand for peace.” He pledged to “provide assistance to children from Ukraine who need care” and to provide his support to them during this “extremely traumatic experience.”
Gigi Hadid will donate all her salary from her Fall 2022 fashion shows to “those suffering from the invasion in Ukraine.” She will also continue supporting Palestinians who are in similar crises. She recently took to her social media platforms to say that during these “heartbreaking and traumatic times in history” she wanted to “walk ‘for’ something.”
More Entertainers Donate and Raise Awareness
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been “doubling every dollar” up to $1 million donated to the U.S. for the UNHCR. The nonprofit provides “critical support to refugees” to save, protect and rebuild “the lives of those who flee violence and persecution.” Their donations are helping the UNHCR provide aid to Ukrainian refugees.
The Weeknd will donate $1 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) in support of “efforts against hunger [worldwide].” He has made an initial donation of $500,000 and will “match up to $500,000 from his upcoming tour.” His donations will help support Ukrainian refugees and other humanitarian crises worldwide.
Kit Harington joined Adrian Lester, Hugh Bonneville, David Tennant and more in “video and radio ads” raising funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee. The aim is to raise $120 million to support the Committee’s aid for Ukrainians and other relief efforts.
Worldwide celebrities are using social media to help Ukraine. Entertainers continue joining #StandUpForUkraine. Media and sports celebrities continue donating and raising awareness. With many already involved and more joining in, Ukrainians are receiving aid and support in many ways. The war is now a trending topic on social media platforms, mobilizing people to help.
– Marcela Agreda L.
Photo: Flickr