Gigi, Bella Hadid Donate $1M to Support Children, Families in Palestine
Gigi and Bella Hadid are joining forces to support relief efforts in Palestine.
The supermodel sisters are collectively donating $1 million, a sum that has been earmarked for equal distribution among four organizations with a focus on children and families: HEAL Palestine, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), World Central Kitchen (WCK), and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
As a whole, the organizations support humanitarian aid like food and medical programs, assist displaced families and provide psychological services amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Conflict has been raging in the area following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
HEAL Palestine — the acronym stands for health, education, aid and leadership to represent pillars of the org’s programs — is a nonpolitical, nonprofit humanitarian organization that works to “provide every young Palestinian in Gaza a chance for a brighter future.”
PCRF, founded in 1991, provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children. Specifically, the organization’s “Gaza Relief and Recovery” campaign seeks to raise funds that will be allocated for “immediate relief including providing essential medical supplies, food, medical treatment, clean water and other necessities for families affected by the conflict,” per the org. PCRF’s work includes mounting two pediatric cancer departments in Palestine, a PICU and a pediatric cardiology department in Ramallah.
José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen is a frontline organization that provides chef-prepared meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and crises like war, conflicts and other tragedies. Per the org, it has delivered north of 400 million meals. Operations have resumed in Gaza following an April 1 attack by Israeli Defense Forces that killed seven WCK staffers. WCK had established field kitchens in Rafah and Deir al-Balah through a network of Palestinian-led community kitchens across Gaza. Operations in Rafah have been suspended due to an Israeli air strike, the organization announced on Tuesday.
UNRWA USA National Committee is an independent nonprofit that supports humanitarian assistance for Palestine refugees. Its goal is to “lift up the voices, experiences and humanity of Palestine refugees to secure American support for resources essential to every human being, for the promise of a better life.”
News of the donation comes just days after Bella Hadid made a statement during her recent trip to Cannes where she wore a Keffiyeh dress and explained its significance in an Instagram post, seen below. Both sisters have shared sentiments about the conflict and its impact on Palestinians via their social media channels. “I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation,” Gigi Hadid posted. “It’s a responsibility I hold daily.”
