Canadian pop superstar raising funds for humanitarian agency Action Against Hunger, meets program beneficiaries in hard-hit Tacloban
TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The world's most famous pop singer believes in the power of social impact, and he's just shown it with a surprise visit to meet Typhoon Haiyan survivors in Tacloban, the Philippines. Bieber met with children and families at San Jose Elementary School in Tacloban on Tuesday, listening intently to their stories of strength and resilience in the face of catastrophe.
Bieber also saw humanitarian programs run by leading international humanitarian agency Action Against Hunger. He visited the agency's water and sanitation programs, engaged with local community members, played basketball with Action Against Hunger employees and beneficiaries, and performed an acoustic music show.
A Million Dollar Fundraiser
The visit came on the heels of an announcement last week that Bieber was launching a special campaign on celebrity fundraising platform Prizeo.com to raise $1 million for Typhoon Haiyan relief, supporting on-the-ground efforts by Action Against Hunger, UNICEF, and the Philam Foundation. Donors of $10 or more are eligible for exclusive rewards, such as signed lyric sheets, as well as one grand prize winner who will win a trip for two to meet Bieber in his recording studio in early 2014. Learn more about the campaign at www.prizeo.com/justin.
A Pop Star Philanthropist
Bieber's proud to use his stature and visibility to affect positive change. "When I saw what happened in the Philippines, I was shocked—the destruction was devastating and I wanted to do whatever I could to help," he said. "I always can count on my fans, so I started planning a way for us to make a big impact to help our friends in the Philippines together."
"The work that Action Against Hunger, UNICEF, and the Philam Foundation are involved with in the Philippines is incredible," he continued, "and I'm really excited to be working alongside them, and I know my fans will be too when they see what amazing things we will be doing together to help all the families that have been so badly affected by the recent situation."
Helping a Country Rebuild
An estimated 13.2 million people have been affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, and 3.5 million are now displaced from their homes. This category-five typhoon struck on the morning of November 8 and is possibly the strongest storm ever recorded in the region.
As of December 5th, Action Against Hunger has provided over 650,000 Typhoon Haiyan survivors with more than 175 tons of emergency support across the Philippines. To date, our teams have:
Canadians wishing to make a donation to ACF can do so online at: http://actioncontrelafaim.ca/donate-to-the-philippines/. The Canadian government has extended the donation matching until December 23rd.
For ongoing updates please visit our website: www.actionagainsthunger.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @acf_canada
About Action Against Hunger
Founded in France in 1979, Action Against Hunger/ Action contre la Faim (ACF) is a leading international humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger, with a special focus on children under five. Our programs save lives and provide communities with long-term solutions to hunger and its underlying causes. We work in more than 45 countries and reach approximately 7 million people annually.
Image with caption: "Justin Bieber Makes Surprise Visit to Philippines Typhoon Victims (Photo Credit: Rosa May Maitem/ACF International) (CNW Group/Action Against Hunger (AAH))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131210_C9531_PHOTO_EN_34810.jpg
SOURCE: Action Against Hunger (AAH)
or to speak with an ACF contact:
Camille DePutter, Director of Communications
Action Contre la Faim | Action Against Hunger Canada
416.644.1016 x 6/ [email protected]
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