Sacha Baron Cohen takes action to help children in Sudan amid a hunger crisis.

The Oscar-nominated star has donated $500,000 to the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children USA for Sudan to help organizations there prepare to support civilians following a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, that has worsened the famine. conditions. In addition to writing a check, Cohen is calling on “friends, colleagues and the general public” to join him.

“Right now, 25.6 million people are going hungry in Sudan, a country rapidly heading towards its worst famine in decades, yet this crisis is receiving alarmingly little attention,” he said in a statement. “This contribution is a small step towards addressing the immense needs in Sudan. I am pleased to continue supporting the IRC and Save the Children, who provide essential nutrition, water, sanitation and healthcare services to those most in need, both in Sudan and in neighboring countries where people are seeking refuge. The Sudanese people urgently need our help and must not be forgotten.”

IRC President and CEO David Miliband said his organization is “very grateful” to Cohen for the donation, which will be channeled toward food, water, sanitation and protection for displaced people. “Eighteen months of warfare have destroyed homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, turning Sudan into the world’s worst displacement and worst hunger crisis – and yet only half of the aid needed has been received. As the disaster continues to spread to neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan, the world’s neglect is costing lives.”

Janti Soeripto, president and CEO of Save the Children, added: “We are incredibly grateful that Sacha continues to support the world’s forgotten crises and their lasting impact on children. The crisis in Sudan has disappeared from the radar for many people, but support for children and families there is still desperately needed. 222,000 severely malnourished children are likely to die in the coming months if their needs are not met.”

Cohen’s donation marks the actor’s latest philanthropic venture, having previously donated to support children and families in places like Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cohen sent personal protective equipment to National Health Service workers and first responders in the United Kingdom. He is also co-founder of Stop Hate for Profit, a coalition that calls out social media companies that profit from conspiracy theories, racism and hateful rhetoric.