Hollywood Celebrities Involved In Humanitarian Assistance

For many years, singers and song-writers have come together to draw the world's attention to famine and poverty in Africa.

The famous 1985 song 'We Are The World' was a number one hit - but it also contributed to a debate about the role of celebrity-humanitarians and whether the money they raised reached those who needed it most.

Celebrities help humanize issue

eter Kessler of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says so-called celebrity diplomats help to humanize an issue, and to reach people when political campaigns often fail to do so.

"As we saw with Princess Diana when she first held the hand of an AIDS victim, it's spreading that message that these people are safe," Kessler said. "They're not a threat. They're threatened. And you can also reach out to them in your own way. You don't have to be a VIP celebrity."

• Actor Leonardo di Caprio's cause of choice is climate change.

• Actor Ben Affleck put together a campaign film about Congo UN refugees.

• Mia Farrow raises awareness about Sudan

By Rachel Smalley of By VOA News