As the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan continue, a range of celebrities are using their platforms to draw attention to the ongoing conflict. Together, these four celebrity initiatives supporting Sudan play a critical role in building international attention, raising money and amplifying calls for humanitarian aid amid the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

Artists for Aid: Benefit Concert for Sudan and Palestine

One of the most notable celebrity initiatives supporting Sudan was Artists for Aid, a star-studded benefit concert held earlier this year at The Shrine in Los Angeles in support of Sudan and Palestine. The Los Angeles event was the third installment of the fundraiser, following successful events in New Jersey and London. The event was organized by Sudanese-Canadian artist Mustafa and co-hosted by supermodel Bella Hadid and actor Pedro Pascal.

The event raised $5.5 million for humanitarian relief, with proceeds going toward the Sudanese American Physicians Association and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. The concert featured performances from Grammy-winning artists Chappell Roan and Jazmine Sullivan, Clairo, Shawn Mendes and Daniel Caesar. In the lead-up to the concert, Mustafa released a powerful video featuring celebrities reading works by Sudanese and Palestinian poets, which they widely shared to highlight the Artists for Aid event.

The video featured well-known actors Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Allen White, musicians Shawn Mendes, Kehlani and Rosalía, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and more.

Freedom for Sudan: Celebrity Auction

Another creative celebrity initiative supporting Sudan has been the Freedom for Sudan auction, a digital fundraiser pairing celebrity access with humanitarian relief. The auction, held between January 6 and 12, raised more than $160,000 for Sudanese nonprofits, including El Fasher Emergency Response Rooms and the Mattar Blue Movement. Auctioned items included an outfit and bag from the fashion label Telfar, a signed Olivia Rodrigo vinyl, two concert tickets to see The Weeknd in any city and branded merchandise.

The auction also featured exclusive experiences, including an in-person or Zoom hangout with singer SZA, a private meal cooked by Sudanese Kitchen and more.

Renée Rapp

Pop star and actress Renée Rapp took a different approach during her 2025 Bite Me Tour, using a pre-concert video to raise awareness of multiple humanitarian crises, including Sudan’s. Fans shared the video on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In the video, Rapp shares that she partnered with the organization Save the Children during the tour and urges fans to donate by saying:

“Right now, millions of children around the world are in crisis. Children in Gaza, children in Congo, children in Sudan, children everywhere… Save the Children fights for kids’ rights, bringing food, water, shelter and health care to places that need it most, while governing bodies sit back and inflict pain or simply stand by and let it happen. Donate if you can… I would never ask you to do something that I am not doing myself, so I am donating right alongside you.”

Along with the video, Rapp launched exclusive merch on her website, with the proceeds being donated to the organization. This form of advocacy helps normalize and encourages conversations about Sudan among fans who may not regularly follow international news.

Social Media Awareness

Social media remains a powerful and common tool for celebrity initiatives supporting Sudan, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis through their platforms. Actors, musicians and online personalities, including Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle, Macklemore, Huda Kattan and Ms. Rachel, shared posts, infographics and calls to action related to Sudan across their social media platforms. Together, these initiatives highlight a widening landscape of celebrity engagement with Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.

While celebrities alone cannot resolve the ongoing conflict, their ability to amplify Sudanese voices and mobilize resources remains a critical tool in global efforts. This is especially important at a time when media cycles move quickly and public attention is limited.

Together, these initiatives highlight a widening landscape of celebrity engagement with Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. While celebrities alone cannot resolve the ongoing conflict, their ability to amplify Sudanese voices, mobilize resources and sustain public attention remains a critical tool in global efforts, especially at a time when media cycles move quickly and attention is limited.

– Sara Aboulela

Sara is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr