Photo: Taylor Hill/WireImage
Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryare continuing to support thepeople of Ukraine.
The couple’s Archewell Foundationannounced on Fridaythat the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have donated to numerous organizations working on the ground to support the Ukrainian people, includingHIAS(Helping Ukrainian Families Settle),World Central Kitchen, theWorld Health Organization, andThe HALO Trust.
Meghan and Harry also revealed that they’re helping fight online disinformation and propaganda through a coalition of Ukrainian media such asThe Kyiv Independentand the organizationAre We Europe, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS - WPA Pool/Getty
“If you are able, we hope you will support or amplify their efforts,” they added.
Speaking on a video call to two of HALO’s staff members working on the ground in Ukraine,Prince Harrypraised the bravery of everyone involved with the charity, which is heavily involved in keeping locals safe from unexploded bombs and landmines, adding “keep doing what you’re doing, keep saving lives.”
The Trust is particularlyclose to Harry’s heartfollowing the ground-breaking work of his mother,Princess Diana, in highlighting the issue of legacy landmines in 1997 when she famously walked through one of HALO’s minefields in Angola.
Prince Harry in 2019 and Princess Diana in 1997.PA Wire/PA Images (2)
Prince Harryhas since followed in his mother’s footsteps, becoming patron of the Trust in 2013 andrecreating her 1997 walkthrough an active minefield in Angola in 2019.
“Thank you for being so brave and for so being so amazing,” Harry added to HALO staffers Olesia and Maryna, who both work full-time for HALO Ukraine, alongside 430 other men and women.
“You guys are saving lives every single day. I know you’re part of HALO and that’s exactly what you signed up to do. And I know you’re going to continue doing the work that is so desperately needed for HALO, for your families and for your country. How can we help? How can people help? What is the best way for people to help? Because there are so many people watching on feeling completely helpless.”
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In reply, Maryna provided a glimpse of what it’s like to be living and working in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
“Life has turned upside down for the last two weeks,” said Maryna. “Sometimes it seems to me that it’s just a nightmare and I’m going to wake up soon.
Olesia added, “Spreading the safety messages will help. The more people see them, the more people stay safe. You can donate to our organization as well. That’s also absolutely possible.”
“Our hearts are heavy as we acknowledge the recent loss of a member of our veteran community in Ukraine, who was defending his country from attack,” Harry and Meghan said in their post.
source: people.com
