Over the past few weeks, the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag has become a familiar sight of solidarity, from stands at football stadiums to posts on social media. And now this trend has hit the red carpet too. At the SAG awards, celebrities including Tyler Perry, Michael Douglas, and Shari Belafonte wore ribbons or pocket squares in yellow and blue, while actor Greta Lee wore a blue skirt and yellow polo neck.
Musicians, actors, and reality stars are using their platforms to support the unfolding humanitarian crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24. More than 3 million refugees, many of them women and children, have fled the violent attacks with few belongings and now need basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.
While there are many ways to support, from joining a protest to staying informed, celebrities are spreading solidarity and mobilizing funds for organizations delivering humanitarian aid to refugees on the ground. Here are some celebs who have expressed their solidarity with Ukraine.
Angelina Jolie
Michael Brochstein/ ZUMA Press Wire | Jolie is using her posts to grab the attention of people across the world about the current situation in Ukraine
Known for her philanthropism, “Tomb Raider” star Angelina Jolie posted a set of harrowing images of children in Ukraine. Jolie spoke about the suffering and trauma children endure when they are caught up in war. In a post, she mentioned that she had been praying for the people of Ukraine along with her UNCHR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) colleagues to ensure protection for the fundamental human rights of these displaced and refugees in the region.
The Maleficent actress also noted various reports about people leaving their country and those looking for safety in other places due to the massive number of casualties. Numerous videos of Ukrainian citizens fleeing the country have also surfaced on the internet.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Lev Radin/ Pacific Press/ ZUMA Press Wire/ TASS | Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have been together for more than ten years now
Another celebrity couple, “Gossip Girl” actress Blake Lively and “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds, stood up for Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion of its pro-western neighbor. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds announced that they would be matching up to $1 million in donations to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. Since the conflict began, more than 2 million people have fled Ukraine, and tens of millions have been internally displaced within the country. The UN has called for $1.7 billion in emergency humanitarian aid to support relief efforts.
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra/ Twitter | From Bollywood actor to Hollywood star, Chopra has come a long way in the entertainment industry
Priyanka Chopra reacted to the ongoing Ukraine crisis and dubbed the attack as 'terrifying'. Raising her concern for the people living in the country, Priyanka, on her Instagram, wrote that the situation unfolding in Ukraine is terrifying and that innocent people have been living in fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones while trying to navigate the uncertainty of the immediate future. She added, ''There are innocent lives living in this war zone. They are just like you and me”.
