US rapper Macklemore has donated $1 million to six Palestinian aid groups, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA. The donation has brought relief and attention to the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people. The aid groups have welcomed the renewed public awareness of the perilous living conditions faced by the Palestinian people they treat regularly.
The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund medically evacuates children who can't get the care they need due to crumbling healthcare infrastructure and flies outside physicians in to treat others inside Gaza. The nonprofit will put its share of Macklemore's gift into an unrestricted fund, allowing leaders to more fluidly direct money based on the evolving circumstances inside Gaza.
According to Alicia Phillips Mandaville, acting CEO of Anera, another beneficiary, the donation allows leaders to more fluidly direct money based on the evolving circumstances inside Gaza. Mandaville said that flexibility is important when "the way people live" and "the rules we work inside" change on a monthly basis.
Tareq Hailat, director of strategic engagement at Palestine Children's Relief Fund, said his phone rings "all the time" with calls from people in Gaza "bleeding and asking for help." Israeli operations have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since a fragile ceasefire took effect last October. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians struggle to get healthcare in the West Bank.
Macklemore has long supported Palestinians, previously pledging the proceeds and streaming royalties from his protest anthems "Hind's Hall" and "Hind's Hall 2" to UNRWA USA. More than $509,000 in support has come through those royalties, according to UNRWA USA CEO Mara Kronenfeld.
The donation has already catalyzed more gifts, with Ms. Rachel, a YouTube star and music teacher, announcing that she would donate $1 million to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund and calling on others to match the gift. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he would match Ed Sheeran's own $2 million donation for aid "in the region."
Everyday donors appear to be joining efforts to support Palestinian aid groups, with online progressive influencers helping raise more than $72,000 for the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. Anera reported that the donations it received through social media platforms were more than triple this month's daily average.
Key points
- Macklemore's donation brings attention to the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people.
- The aid groups have welcomed the renewed public awareness of the perilous living conditions faced by the Palestinian people.
- The donation has already catalyzed more gifts, with others inspired to donate to Palestinian aid groups.
