Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and his wife, actress Isla Fisher, donated $1 million Sunday to a pair of nonprofits to aid victims of the conflict in Syria, according to Save the Children UK.
Cohen, best known for his roles in "Les Misérables" and "Borat," and Fisher, who starred in "Wedding Crashers" and "The Great Gatsby," gave half the funds to Save the Children UK and the other half to the International Rescue Committee.
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"These are desperate times for Syrian families facing bombs, bullets and torture in Syria," Save the Children UK CEO Justin Forsyth said. "The couple's donation will save many thousands of lives and protect some of the most vulnerable children."
The nonprofits planned to use the funds for programs aimed at vaccinating more than 250,000 children against measles in northern Syria and to "help fund the work to support families, with a special concern for women and children, both inside Syria and in neighboring countries who are suffering as a result of the ongoing conflict," according to Save the Children.
"Now is the time for all of us to double down on commitments to civilians caught up in the Syria conflict," said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.
"These people are the victims of terror ... Sacha and Isla's donation is a great expression of humanity, and a challenge to do more for the most vulnerable. I hope it is an example to many others seeking practical ways of making a difference during the Christmas and New Year season."
