Brad and Angelina Donate $1 Million to Haiti Relief

Celebrity couple's donation exceeds corporate pledges and matches China's

By TAMER EL-GHOBASHY
Updated 7:32 PM PST, Wed, Jan 13, 2010

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, one of Hollywood's most recognizable couples, have donated $1 million towards the relief effort in Haiti, where a massive earthquake has crippled the island nation.

The A-List couple, who have been known for their political and social activism, made the large gift to Doctors Without Borders whose three hospitals in the Haitian capital were severely damaged by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the organization said in a statement.

They will use some of the money to send additional medical staff, including surgeons, and equipment to build a 100-bed tent hospital with two operating rooms, the Associated Press reported.

"We understand the first response is critical to serve the immediate needs of countless people who are now displaced from their homes, are suffering trauma, and most require urgent care," Pitt said in a statement.

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Jolie said it "is incredibly horrible to see a catastrophe of this size hit a people who have been suffering from extreme poverty, violence and unrest for so many decades," according to People.com.

The couple's donation appears particularly generous when compared with large nations and the dozens of pledges made by international corporations. Only Irish mobile phone operator Digicel has offered more -- promising $5 million in aid while the European Union has approved $4.37 million in initial relief funding. Canada is giving $4.8 million immediately with a promise of more to come. China is pitching in with $1 million.

Several celebrities were quick to urge their fans to donate money to help the people of Haiti where tens of thousands are feared dead after Tuesday night's earthquake. Grammy-award winner Wyclef Jean established a text-messaging hotline and website based in Miami that would allow people to donate to victims in Haiti.

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