George Clooney Helps To Fund U.N. Helicopters In Sudan

Shannon Moore - Celebrity News Service

Hollywood, CA (CNS) - George Clooney is leading the celebrity band wagon for charity donations by giving the United Nations $5.6 million to buy a fleet of helicopters to help the organization in war torn Sudan. The World Food Programme (WFP) of the U.N. warned earlier this month that their air transportations would soon stop due to lack of funding. Clooney immediately stepped up to assist them.

Clooney is a United Nations Messenger of Peace and became a leading celebrity advocate after filming a documentary last year in Sudan about the violence and refugee crisis that continues in the country. Clooney also banded together with his "Ocean's Thirteen" cast mates Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle to establish the Not On Our Watch organization to help provide humanitarian support in the region.

A source explains, "George was horrified by the Sudanese government's 'scorched earth' (bomb) attacks on western Darfur last month. And when he was told that Unamid officials felt they could have done something about the attacks if they'd had the right equipment - they need 18 helicopters and so far have none - he decided to put his money where his mouth is."

Kenro Oshidari, a representative for WFP in Sudan says the organization is still in need of $71 million in funds to continue the transportation for the year.