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Sir Richard Branson has launched an appeal to raise $100m in funds to go towards “essential humanitarian aid” for Venezuelans
By Anna Grace on 15 Feb 2019
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has announced plans for a concert to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Venezuela and bring global attention to the Latin American country’s ongoing crisis.
Venezuela Aid Live will take place on 22 February in the Colombian city of Cúcuta on the Venezuelan border. The concert will feature a “fantastic line-up of top Latin American and global artists,” and will be available to watch by international audiences via a live stream.
In a video address, Branson announces that he aims to raise US$100 million through donations in six days to go towards securing essential humanitarian aid for Venezuelans.
“Venezuela is suffering. Not that long ago it was the wealthiest country in South America and now it is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere,” says Branson.
“Venezuela is suffering. Not that long ago it was the wealthiest country in South America and now it is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere”
“I know a thing or two about the music business, and I’m old enough to remember how George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh and Bob Geldof’s LiveAid moved the world to action,” says Branson.
The Virgin founder says he will help to organise “a beautiful concert to bring global attention to this unacceptable and preventable crisis, and raise funds for essential humanitarian aid.”
According to Branson, the concert comes in response to calls from Venezuela’s internationally-recognised interim president, Juan Guaidó, and opposition politician Leopoldo López.
The Nicolás Maduro-led Venezuelan government has ordered security forces to block humanitarian aid from entering the country, despite severe food and medicine shortages.
Information about the concert and instructions on how to make a donation can be found here.
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