‘We cannot fail these families.’ – Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Damian Lewis supports ShelterBox’s preparations for Mosul
Star of ‘Homeland’, ‘Band of Brothers’ and ‘Wolf Hall’, Damian Lewis, has made a plea on behalf of the estimated 1-million people trapped in war-torn Mosul in Iraq. He has endorsed the work of global disaster relief charity ShelterBox as they prepare to help displaced families.
The tents and shelter kits are in place, the distribution partnerships agreed, and aid workers in Iraq are on standby for a displacement from Mosul on a massive scale. The battle to retake Mosul from ISIS has already forced over 60,000 to flee, but a predicted 200,000 to 1 million may follow soon, creating unprecedented humanitarian need.
Global emergency shelter experts, ShelterBox, have been making preparations in the region for several months now. Lightweight tents and portable shelter kits are stored near to anticipated points of distribution, where escaping families will be screened and registered by Iraqi authorities. Some will go to existing displacement camps, some to shelters in former schools and churches.
But numbers could be overwhelming. The greatest fear is for those who will be forced into the open desert or up into the mountains as the bitter winter approaches.
ShelterBox enjoys the support of many famous voices. Joining them this week is celebrated actor and producer Damian Lewis, best known for his Emmy and Golden Globe-winning performance as US Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in the worldwide hit series ‘Homeland’. He has also enjoyed acclaim in the US series ‘Billionaire’, in the UK as Soames in the ‘Forsyte Saga’, and as Henry VIII in ‘Wolf Hall’ which earned him further Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Damian says,
The city of Mosul has been under Islamic State rule for two years. The military offensive to retake Mosul is underway and is predicted to force more than 1 million people to flee the city. They are the people who were not able to escape before Islamic State took hold. They are the very young, the very old and the families who were not able to leave due to illness and poverty.
They have suffered atrocities we can only imagine. We cannot fail these families.
ShelterBox is a global aid agency. They donate tents and vital supplies to provide safe places to sleep and the ability to recover. To help the displaced families of Mosul ShelterBox urgently needs $2 million worth of aid. Please give what you can via ShelterBox.org.