Natural catastrophes frequently occur around the world, and they can seriously harm economies and populations. Nonetheless, amid a crisis, individuals frequently band together to help those who have been impacted by these catastrophes. Particularly famous people can use their platforms to support the impacted communities by bringing attention to them and raising money for them. Celebrities have the ability to positively touch the lives of individuals impacted by natural disasters, whether it’s through donations, volunteer work, or simply leveraging their social media presence to inspire others to contribute.
However, celebrities do not always prove to use their platforms for a good cause. Recently, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh were among the areas of Pakistan that saw heavy flooding in June 2022. Heavy monsoon rains contributed to the floods by overflowing rivers and forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes. The economy was severely harmed as a result of the destruction of numerous homes, companies, and farms. In order to give food, housing, and medical attention to the afflicted populations, the government and humanitarian organizations collaborated. Despite these attempts, the floods had a terrible effect on many people’s lives, and it will likely take a while for things to get back to normal.
However, recently after the floods hit and even during the climactic times, Pakistani celebrities went ahead and conducted and attended the 8th Hum Style Awards. The grand event was hosted at FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Canada. The ceremony was televised on Hum TV. Was conducting such an extravagant awards show amidst a national crisis absolutely necessary?
Many people died as a result of the floods. Many homes, businesses, and agricultural fields were severely damaged as a result of the torrential rains and flooding, which forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Several others suffered job losses as a result, leaving them struggling for survival. Many lives were also lost as a result of the floods; according to some estimates, hundreds of people perished as a result of the calamity. For the impacted populations, the floods had long-term effects in addition to their immediate effects because it was extremely difficult for them to reconstruct their homes and ways of life. For people who lost loved ones or suffered permanent harm or disability as a result of the disaster, the healing process was likely to be slow and challenging. But apparently, Pakistani celebs weren’t concerned about this.
However, on the other hand, Turkey went through something similar recently. The city of Karamanmaras was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. Many individuals were hurt as well as major damage to the city’s infrastructure and structures was inflicted by the earthquake. According to accounts, rescue personnel worked nonstop to extricate countless citizens who were stuck beneath the wreckage of collapsed buildings. The Turkish government and local authorities responded to the disaster immediately, sending emergency services to the affected districts to help people who needed it.
The quakes have resulted in more than 37,000 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries so far. Moreover, thousands of buildings have been reduced to ruins. The extent of the infrastructure damage in both Syria and Turkey has not yet been fully determined, but according to Turkey’s environment minister Murat Kurum, 24,921 buildings in the nation have collapsed or suffered significant damage. But did their celebrities attend award shows during such distressing times? No.
A fundraising campaign organized by eight national TV stations and other Turkish celebrities who gave in response to pleas for help raised almost $6.1 billion for the earthquake victims in Turkey. Millions of people from Turkey and other countries took part in a massive fundraising drive to aid tens of thousands of earthquake survivors, including children, adults, businesses, religious minorities, organizations, and labor unions. Nihat Hatipoglu, Pelin Cift, ex-model Ala Ikel, media mogul Acun Ilcal, and others who are well-known on Turkish television moderated the seven-hour live fundraising event.
The nation’s telecom firms simultaneously sent out more than 9 million SMS as part of the campaign. Gifts were given to the Turkish Red Crescent and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) by children, soldiers, diplomats, and CEOs of significant corporations.
Eight Turkish TV channels air joint broadcast for aid campaign to help millions of people affected by #TurkiyeQuakes and reconstruct devastated cities pic.twitter.com/5pQKmgkt8Z
— TRT World (@trtworld) February 15, 2023
Among many renowned celebrities, the Love For Rent actor Barış Arduç, TV presenter Esra Erol, and Warrior star Berk Oktay were also present on stage answering the phone calls set up for donations.
Other famous faces taking part in the campaign were Burak Özçivit, Hande Erçel, Engin Akyürek, Afra Saraçoğlu, Mert Ramzan Demir, Burak Deniz, Alp Navruz, Aslı Enver, Merve Dizdar, Barış Falay, Selahattin Paşalı, Özge Özpirinçci, Uğur Güneş, Murat Yıldırım, Mehmet Özgür, Birkan Sokullu, Eda Ece, Melisa Aslı Pamuk, Ismail Hacıoğlu, Kadir Doğulu and his wife Neslihan Atagül Doğulu, Seda Sayan, Hasan Can Kaya, Aras Bulut Iynemli, Ezgi Mola and Halit Ergenç. Turkish celebrities asked the public to give generously to the Turkish Red Crescent and Turkish Disaster Management Agency for charity campaigns.
Is this why the public and the audiences make actors and actresses “celebrities”? Let us know in the comments below.
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