Born to a Palestinian American father, the renowned supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid have come together to donate a staggering $1 million to support relief and humanitarian efforts in Palestine. This generous donation is set to be equally distributed among four organizations that are dedicated to providing critical assistance to children and families in the midst of the ongoing conflict.
The four organizations, HEAL Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), World Central Kitchen (WCK), and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), are at the forefront of providing humanitarian aid, including food and medical programs, assisting displaced families, and offering psychological services. Their efforts are crucial in the face of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has escalated following Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.
HEAL Palestine, an acronym standing for health, education, aid, and leadership, represents the pillars of the organization's programs. As a non-political, non-profit humanitarian group, it strives to "provide every young Palestinian in Gaza a chance for a brighter future." PCRF, founded in 1991, has been providing free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children, with a specific focus on its "Gaza Relief and Recovery" campaign, which aims to raise funds for immediate relief measures, including essential medical supplies, food, clean water, and other necessities for families affected by the conflict.
José Andrés' World Central Kitchen is a frontline organization that has delivered over 400 million chef-prepared meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and crises, including war, conflicts, and other tragedies. Despite the challenges posed by the recent conflict, WCK has resumed operations in Gaza, establishing field kitchens in Rafah and Deir al-Balah through a network of Palestinian-led community kitchens. However, operations in Rafah have been temporarily suspended due to an Israeli air strike.
UNRWA USA National Committee is an independent non-profit organization that supports humanitarian assistance for Palestine refugees. Its mission 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."
This donation comes on the heels of Bella Hadid's powerful statement during her recent trip to Cannes, where she wore a Keffiyeh dress and explained its significance on Instagram. Both sisters have been vocal about the conflict and its devastating impact on Palestinians, sharing their sentiments and expressing deep empathy for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation. Gigi Hadid, in particular, has posted about her daily responsibility to hold space for and amplify the voices of those affected by the conflict.
The Hadid sisters' generous donation is a powerful reminder of the impact that individuals can have in supporting humanitarian efforts and bringing attention to critical issues facing vulnerable communities worldwide.
