Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively call for donations for displaced Ukrainians

Couple vowed to match donations up to $1M while Miley Cyrus expressed solidarity with the refugees.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have pledged to double the financial support collected for displaced Ukrainians by US For UNHCR. The Hollywood power couple has urged fans to donate to the humanitarian charity to assist the thousands of citizens displaced by the conflict. The duo said it would double the support shown.

“In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighbouring countries,” the Deadpool star wrote online. “They need protection. USA For UNHCR is providing that. When you donate, we’ll match it up to 1,000,000 dollars, creating DOUBLE the support.”

Blake added, “USA For UNHCR is on the ground helping the 50,000+ Ukrainians who had to flee their homes in less than 48 hours. It is providing life saving aid and is also working with neighbouring countries to ensure protection for these families.”

The couple’s generous offer comes as other famous personalities posted messages of support for those caught up in the conflict. Singer Miley Cyrus, who filmed Nothing Breaks Like a Heart in Kyiv, took to her Instagram Story to express solidarity with the displaced. She wrote, “This morning was heartbreaking waking up to the news that Ukraine had been invaded. I had the most incredible experience filming in Kyiv. At least 40 local Ukrainians have been killed already, and this conflict can lead to many more deaths, another refugee crisis with so many forced to flee their homes and more. I am standing in solidarity with everyone in Ukraine who is affected by this attack and with our global community who is calling for an immediate end to violence.”

Penelope Cruz and Pink also posted links to charities seeking to help young people and others affected by the fighting, reported the Huffington Post.

Violence continues to rage across the region following the commencement of military operations ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Sunday, reports of Russian forces breaking into Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, surfaced. Street fighting is now taking place in Kharkiv, as per AlJazeera. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready for peace talks but not in Moscow’s preferred venue of Belarus. Russian strikes have also targetted Ukrainian oil and gas facilities, igniting a depot near the capital, Kyiv.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.