Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and his wife Isla Fisher donated $500,000 each to Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee, both charities committed to assisting Syrian refugees.
Cohen is best known for portraying his alter egos “Borat” and “Ali G” on TV and in feature films where he goes undercover and interacts with real people on the street and in interviews. His wife, Ilsa Fisher, is also known for starring in films like “Wedding Crashers,” “Hot Rod,” and “Confessions of a Shopaholic.”
According to both charities, half of the large donation will go toward vaccinating more than 250,000 Syrian children against the measles. Northern Syria is currently dealing with a potential measles outbreak. The remaining $500,000 will fund shelter, sanitation, healthcare, and education for families who fled Syria.
“Sacha and Isla’s donation is a great expression of humanity, and a challenge to do more for the most vulnerable. I hope it is an example to many others seeking practical ways of making a difference during the Christmas and New Year season,” said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.
Borat actor Sacha Baron Cohen and wife Isla Fisher give $1 million for #SyrianRefugees https://t.co/uiDAWLp1VF pic.twitter.com/cYT7kSGsIF
— 🌻Patricia D McClendon, MSSW🌻 (@PatsCSW) December 27, 2015
In the same statement, Save the Children’s CEO Justin Forsyth said that Fisher and Cohen’s donation will save thousands of lives and provide relief for some of the most vulnerable Syrian children.
Since the Syrian Civil war began in March 2011, well over 200,000 have been killed, with just over 4 million displaced.
Featured image via Flickr
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