Idris and Sabrina Dhowre Elba have announced today that they are helping to launch a new global coronavirus relief fund on behalf of the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) designed to lessen economic shocks caused by the pandemic.
The Elbas, who are recovering from mild cases of COVID-19, have joined forces with the United Nations IFAD and will launch with $40 million in seed money from the group. IFAD hopes to raise up to $200 million more from governments, foundations and the private sector to ease the impact of COVID-19 on rural small-scale farmers and producers.
“The world’s advanced economies are in the midst of this pandemic right now and, of course, they must do everything they can to help their own people,” Idris said in a statement to Deadline. “Every death is one death too many at a time like this. But the fact is, global action is also a matter of self-interest. As long as the pandemic is still raging anywhere, it will pose a threat everywhere. IFAD needs more assistance to carry on the work that is desperately needed to keep food systems operating in rural areas if we are to come out of this crisis together and avoid needless hunger and suffering.”
Idris Elba, 47, is an English actor, writer, producer, rapper, singer, songwriter and DJ known for roles including Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire, Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in the BBC One series Luther, and Nelson Mandela in the biographical film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”
