As Ukraine’s tragedy battled against Russia’s invasion, many celebrities came forward to show their support.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin sanctioned the military operation to carry out artillery and missile attacks to strike major cities in Ukraine, including its capital Kiev. As Ukraine goes through turbulent times, countries have come together to offer financial support and provide defense equipment to stop the Russian invasion. like war rages, Ukrainian citizens are fleeing the country and finding refuge in nearby communities as the country is ambushed. Many celebrities are showing their solidarity to offer help and support to citizens as people struggle to find water, food and shelter in these turbulent times.
From cash donations and support to meals and shelter, famous actors and entrepreneurs have come forward during this time of need to offer help and support in any way they can.
8 Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the United States has provided safe assistance to Ukrainian citizens fleeing their country. According to NBC News, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have pledged to match every dollar donated to UNHCR up to $1 million. The couple have been known to be philanthropists over the years and have contributed to causes such as BC’s Great Bear Rainforest Indigenous Mentorship Program and launched the Ugly Sweater campaign to help the Hospital for Sick Children, which recently raised $640,000.
7 Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is one of the few celebrities to have worked closely with the United Nations over the past decades to create change in the immigration community. She was appointed UNHCR Special Envoy and the actress expressed her deep concern over the lives lost via her social media account. She also announced that the UN was working closely with neighboring countries to provide shelter to Ukrainian citizens fleeing the country, and that their number is estimated at 4 million.
6 Sean Penn
Me and two colleagues drove miles to the Polish border after leaving our car on the side of the road. Almost all of the cars in this photo carry only women and children, most with no sign of luggage, and one car their only valuable. pic.twitter.com/XSwCDgYVSH
— Sean Penn (@SeanPenn) February 28, 2022
While many celebrities are making valuable contributions through the online medium, Sean Penn decided to support the country by showing the script in real time to people around the world. Penn first visited Ukraine in November 2021 when he planned to film a documentary, as stated Variety. On March 1, 2022, the actor fled to Ukraine and traveled miles to the Polish border, where he found refuge. A keen humanitarian, he is also the founder of Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) which has helped raise funds for various communities since the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
5 Elon Musk
When Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted Elon Musk, asking for his help in providing internet access to various parts of Ukraine, he immediately complied with the request. Before long, he delivered equipment from Starlink, his satellite internet company that will provide high-speed internet access to remote locations. Additionally, Musk also donated $5.74 billion of his Tesla stock to charity after the United Nations World Food Program tweeted that $6 billion would save world hunger.
4 Jose Andres
José Andrés is a famous Spanish chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, an organization that feeds people in times of disaster. The organization worked tirelessly during the 2017 Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Andrés has set up sites in countries neighboring Ukraine and provided more than 8,000 meals, as reported the wall street journal. Several chefs from Ukraine and around the world have joined his cause and worked in kitchens to bring food to people who have struggled to find something to eat since the invasion.
3 Michael Keaton
The environment at the 2022 SAG Awards remained light on February 27; however, celebrities have used their platform to show their support for Ukraine through their speeches. Michael Keaton won Best Actor for his work on Drug and enjoyed fellow actor Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine who was a former comedian. Keaton is known for supporting many causes and has helped Pittsburgh nonprofits deliver 500 meals during the pandemic.
2 Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny Frankel has made one of the most significant contributions to helping women and children in Ukraine who cannot find essential hygiene products. As mentioned by New York Post, through her non-profit organization BStrong, she has provided more than 100,000 survival and hygiene kits worth $10 million. Additionally, she also raised $5 million in cash to help people leave the country and move to nearby places like Poland.
1 Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Mila Kunis was born in Ukraine before her family moved to America when she was young. While the actress is deeply affected by watching her home country suffer, Kunis and her husband Ashton Kutcher are taking drastic measures to urge the Russian people to understand the false media claims made in their country. Kutcher is an investor in Airbnb, which provides 100,000 refugees with free housing and accommodation services in neighboring countries.
Other celebrities who have spoken out strongly against the war include Brian Cox, Tyler Perry and Douglas Hodge. As Russian forces aim for full annexation of Ukraine, the country has become a dangerous destination for its citizens separated from their families. With the help of various nations and personalities, Ukraine can find refuge as the world comes together in support.
Sources: BNC News, Variety, the wall street journal, New York Post
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