Ryan Reynolds And Blake Lively Offer To Match $1 Million In Donations To Ukrainian Refugees

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have said they will match donations up to $1 million (£745,851) to help out Ukrainian refugees. 

The big-hearted Hollywood stars have urged their fans to donate to the United Nations Refugee Agency and have confirmed they will match donations dollar for dollar up to $1m. 

Posting on Twitter, Reynolds shared a tweet from the agency, writing: “In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries. 

“They need protection. When you donate, we'll match it up to $1,000,000, creating double the support.”

How nice is that?

In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries. They need protection. When you donate, we’ll match it up to $1,000,000, creating double the support.⬇️ https://t.co/xCFL1Lptuw https://t.co/CHp48E1KLQ

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 26, 2022

The UN Refugee Agency's original tweet read: “Right now, the crisis in Ukraine is forcing families to flee their homes.

“Please make a donation today to send lifesaving aid to displaced Ukrainians, and @VancityReynolds & @blakelively will match your gift $1-for-$1 up to $1,000,000.”

Meanwhile, Lively posted her own message on social media - sharing a heart-wrenching photo of a mother and child alongside the words: “@vancityreynolds and I are doubling every dollar donated to @usaforunhcr up to $1,000,000 link in bio to donate.

“@usaforunhcr is on the ground helping the 50,000+ Ukrainians who had to flee their homes in less than 48 hours. 

“@usaforunhcr is providing life saving aid, and also working with neighboring countries to ensure protection for these families.”

Almost 120,000 Ukrainians are reported to have fled their homes following the Russian invasion on Thursday. 

The United Nations has previously warned that up to four million people may need to leave the country if the war continues. 

The news comes as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK government is ‘urgently’ looking at ways it can support Ukrainian refugees. 

Appearing on BBC’s Sunday Morning programme with Sophie Raworth, Truss declined to say how many refugees the UK will accept. 

Asked if the Government will waive visa requirements for Ukrainians coming to the UK, she said: “It is a desperate situation. We’re working with the United Nations, we’re working with the Red Cross, to keep humanitarian corridors open.

“We’ve put support into the neighbouring countries like Slovakia and Poland to help with the refugee crisis.

“And of course Britain has always welcomed refugees fleeing from war, and we’re urgently looking at what more we can do to facilitate that.

“But ultimately what we need to make sure is that we protect Ukraine as a sovereign democracy.

“Ultimately, the people of Ukraine want to live in Ukraine.”

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.