Mehwish Hayat endorses Penny Appeal's Ukraine Emergency appeal

The unfolding crisis in Ukraine has now resulted in over three million people fleeing across the border to safety. A further 1.85 million are displaced internally within the country, having lost their homes due to the conflict.

As well as fearing for their lives, displaced families within Ukraine face dwindling food supplies, travel blockades, as well as lack of electricity, mobile and internet connections, cutting them off from relatives back home, unable to find out whether they are amongst the thousands killed.

The response from the international community, however, has been unprecedented. Households in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania and Slovakia have opened their homes to provide sanctuary to refugees. So much more help, however, is still needed.

In the face of such human suffering and loss, we remember the timeless words of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) who said:

“Whoever grants respite to someone in difficulty or alleviates them, Allah (SWT) will shade him on the Day of Resurrection when there is no shade but His.” (Tirmidhi)

Penny Appeal’s work is inspired by this Prophetic calling. We serve those in need, not because of who they are or what background they may hail from, but rather because of who we are: humanitarians driven by the universal values of our faith. As governments and media outlets are being rightly questioned for their apparent selective compassion, the outpouring of donations we have already received are a testament to our donors’ sincerity in helping our brothers and sisters in humanity, regardless of background.

Thanks to you, we are already on the ground delivering vital food packs, blankets, bedding, and medical aid to those in need. Sadly, this humanitarian disaster is only getting worse. We need your help now more than ever.

Penny Appeal founder, Adeem Younis, said today: “The images on our screens of decimated Ukrainian towns and scores of refugees are sadly all too familiar. For over a decade Penny Appeal has been serving refugees from Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Palestine and beyond. Once again, we have appealed to our supporters to answer the call of those in need and once again, they are responding.”

Penny Appeal's Global Ambassador, Mehwish Hayat, has been watching the situation unfold in horror. Earlier today, she called on her followers to support the relief efforts, and provide a lifeline to the growing numbers of men, women and children seeking sanctuary from the imminent danger in their homeland. She said:

“In my mind, suffering has no religion. Suffering has no nationality, race, or creed. At the end of the day, the blood being spilled in Ukraine is red like yours and mine. The time is now to step up and help the Ukrainian people in their hour of need. Join me and the Penny Appeal family in their emergency appeal to get much needed aid out there as soon as possible. I know I can depend on Team Orange to deliver.”

Every contribution, little or large, will make a huge difference to Ukrainian refugees in desperate need. Give today.