01 September 2005
BEIRUT: Popular Lebanese singer Assi Helani has become the latest celebrity to add his voice to the UN food aid agency campaign to raise awareness about global hunger and poverty.
The "Arab Knight," as he is known across the region, has lent his voice to the latest World Food Program (WFP) 30-second public service announcement (PSA) according to the WFP Cairo office. In the announcement he draws attention to the disturbing fact that 25,000 people die from hunger every day - 18,000 of them children.
"We cannot stop time, but we can stop hunger. And to help to end this tragedy, I am ready to donate my voice and popularity to the cause of fighting hunger and poverty. We must stop hunger in the world if we are all to have a better life," Helani said recently in Cairo.
Launched across Arab TV stations today in the Middle East, the WFP television spot, which features images of impoverished children and the WFP's efforts to help, was created by an Egyptian advertising company, artists, musicians and photographers who all donated their expertise.
Helani, a much loved star in the Arab world today, began his career in 1989 after famously winning a singing competition in Lebanon before the era of Star Academy and talent TV.
He has constantly been involved with humanitarian causes including performing a series of charity and fund-raising concerts during the 1990s.
"We are very grateful to Assi Helani for lending us his voice to help raise awareness about hunger and poverty. His help gives us greater strength in the fight against hunger," said Amir Abdullah, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
In 2004 , WFP, which is fully dependent on voluntary contributions, raised $3.2 billion to assist 113 million impoverished people living in 80 countries.
Other celebrities who have supported the WGP include Brazilian soccer players Ronaldinho and Kaka, film stars Sean Connery and Penelope Cruz, Grammy-award winning Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora, marathon world champion and former school feeding beneficiary Paul Tergat and Egyptian actor Mahmoud Yassin.
