Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and other celebrities raise money for WHO in Ukraine

British music stars such as Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran, American basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and many other celebrities donated personal belongings for a campaign launched on Saturday to support healthcare in Ukraine.

Seven months after the start of the Russian invasion, the WHO Foundation, an independent organization that helps fundraising for World Health Organization projects, unveiled the “Human Kind” e-store, where fans can win personal items donated by their favorite celebrities.

The funds raised will go to support the actions of the UN health agency in Ukraine and neighboring countries, the foundation said in a statement, detailing that its goal was to reach 53.7 million dollars.

Among the stars who have donated items are, in addition to Styles and Sheeran, renowned artists such as the British singers Ellie Goulding and Annie Lennox or the American street artist Shepard Fairey.

There are also personalities from the world of sport, such as the Ukrainian footballer Vitali Mykolenko, Vladimir Klichko, former boxing champion heavyweight and brother of the mayor of kyiv, or Shaquille O’Neal, who have donated Tshirts or signed gloves.

“I encourage everyone to do what they can to support the people of Ukraine during this crisis,” Lennox said in the WHO Foundation’s statement launching the initiative, insisting that “health care is a human right that everyone deserves.” to access”.

To win an item, you need to buy a raffle ticket, costing between 5 and 10 pounds sterling ($5.40 and $10.90), on the humankind.who.foundation website between September 24 and October 24.

The winners will be drawn on October 31, the foundation said.

“Seven months after this tragic war, people are increasingly in need of urgent medical care across the country,” the foundation’s president, Anil Soni, said in the statement.

“We must address the immediate and long-term health needs of those affected,” he added.

Since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of its western neighbor on February 24, the WHO has verified 550 attacks on Ukraine’s healthcare services.

More than 5,900 civilians have been killed and more than 8,600 injured, while more than 12 million Ukrainian refugees are currently in other countries in Europe as a result of the war, according to the WHO.

Meanwhile, some 17.7 million people – more than a third of the Ukrainian population – require humanitarian assistance.

So far, the WHO has helped deliver 1,300 tons of medical supplies to the country, including emergency supplies for blood transfusions, essential medicines, ambulances, oxygen and surgical supplies.

Source-listindiario.com