The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is using its charitable arm to assist in two major crises on opposite sides of the planet – Haiti and Afghanistan.

Last week, the HFPA sent $125,000 each to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Direct Relief to help in their emergency response efforts in Haiti. This work is in response to the devastating magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Haiti last Monday killing more than 2,200 people and injuring more than 12,000. MSF teams are providing medical care in the worst affected areas of the south of the country and in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where many injured patients were brought for treatment. Direct Relief is readying a humanitarian emergency air charter that will bring urgently needed medical supplies to Haiti later this week. 

“Direct Relief is deeply thankful for the HFPA’s wonderful act of generosity to assist people in Haiti who face even more severe health risks from the recent earthquake because of the compounding effects of Covid, severe weather, and deep, chronic challenges,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President and CEO.  “This support will translate directly into medications and supplies not otherwise available and have been requested by and are keenly needed by Direct Relief’s partner health facilities providing essential care in enormously tough circumstances.”

Additionally, the HFPA made substantial donations to two of its grantees working selflessly on the front lines during these crises. The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) — the only organization that provides safety training, byline opportunities, and emergency support tailored to women journalists and photographers around the world — received $50,000. This donation is earmarked to support their emergency flight response to rescue Afghan journalists at imminent risk. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which is urgently registering and vetting the cases of nearly 400 journalists who are attempting to reach safety, received $200,000 from the Association.

“The HFPA has a long history of meeting humanitarian needs during times of crisis. As our members responded to COVID relief last year, they have acted in response to these twin issues of great magnitude they could not ignore — and are happy to help in any way to provide relief to the Haitian people and rescue journalists at risk,” said HFPA President Ali Sar. “We encourage the Hollywood community to follow us in supporting these and other charities and non-governmental organizations in response to these crises.”

 Funding for HFPA Fellowships and Grants is derived from HFPA’s income from the Golden Globe Awards. Since 1989, the HFPA has bestowed more than $50 million in fellowships and grants to film schools and non-profit organizations.