The star-studded Artists for Aid show blended surprise guest appearances with overt political solidarity, raising funds for children’s medical care in Palestine and Sudan.
Omar Apollo endearingly forgot the lyrics to his hit “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me At All)” and sang them off his phone, while Shawn Mendes brought out Maggie Rogers for an earnest, resilient duet of “Youth”.Via @ThePCRF/X
The night’s most overt performances addressing the current crises came from Palestinian American and Sudanese American poets Noor Hindi and Safia Elhillo, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The PCRF was also part of the audience. In a social media post on X, the foundation expressed how honourable it was for them to be a part of this concert alongside thousands of attendees, “who showed how global solidarity can become real action, sending a powerful message of care and hope to children who have endured so much in both Palestine and Sudan.”
They revealed that two evacuated children from Gaza were also a part of the crowd.
“We were especially moved to see Diaa and Ayham, two of our children who were evacuated from Gaza for life-saving treatment abroad, attending the concert in person, thriving and strong once again, just as we wish for all the children we serve.”Via @ThePCRF/X
The concert was not the first relief effort organised to raise funds for Palestine, but it appeared to be one of the first large-scale efforts for Sudan.
In October, a Pride and Prejudice table-read starring Ambika Mod and Daisy Ridley was held to raise funds and in September, $2 million was raised through a benefit concert hosted by industry heavyweights, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Nicola Coughlan, Florence Pugh, and Richard Gere, among many others.
Though Hamas and Israel signed a truce on October 9, halting two years of devastating warfare, Amnesty International says Israel is still committing genocide in Gaza. At least 68,000 Palestinians were killed in Israel’s assault that left hospitals, schools, and homes devastated.
Sudan has been facing a vicious civil war since April 2023. Reported atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces — the main paramilitary militia fighting the Sudanese military — in the town of El-Fasher recently brought the world’s focus to the brutal conflict.
The RSF laid siege to the town for 18 months before finally capturing it. Eyewitnesses described scenes of absolute horror — bodies lying in the streets, mass executions, rape and torture. Famine has also been confirmed in parts of the affected area. The International Criminal Court has said that the brutalities committed in El-Fasher could constitute crimes against humanity.
DAWN
Updated 12 Jan, 2026
The third Artists for Aid concert, held in Los Angeles on Saturday, managed to raise $5.4 million for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) and the Sudanese American Physicians Association.
Organised by Canadian Sudanese artist Mustafa the Poet and hosted by supermodel Bella Hadid and Pedro Pascal, the star-studded concert aimed to refocus on immediate relief for children and medical care in war-ravaged Palestinian territories and Sudan by utilising music as a tool to show solidarity.
“I always knew that an artist’s power did not come from their musical knowledge,” Mustafa said, introducing the night, the Los Angeles Times reported. “I always knew that an artist’s power comes from the expansion of their empathy.”
Hadid, while beginning the show, seemed to be in awe of the number of people who showed up for the Aid concert. While introducing herself and her co-host, Pascal, the supermodel stated the two main causes behind the concert: the people of Palestine and the people of Sudan.
“Families living through unimaginable loss, displacement, hunger, violence, tonight we attempt to shield them from genocide, working to erase them. Even remembering is a protest and I truly, truly stand by that,” she said.
“No matter what we can do in the world by just speaking, by loving and making sure they always feel heard is something that is most important in the entire world.”
“Let’s keep raising our voices and make sure these families and children know how much we stand with them,” she concluded.
The line-up for the concert held at the Shrine Auditorium in LA featured Alex G, Blood Orange, Clairo, Daniel Caesar, Faye Webster, Geese, Jazmine Sullivan, Lucy Dacus, Mustafa, Noname, Noor Hindi, Omar Apollo, Raphael Saadiq, Rayn Lenae, Rex Orange County, Safia Elhillo, Shawn Mendes, Snoh Aalegra, Tamino and 070 Shake.
To the fans‘ surprise, Chappell Roan made a surprise visit during Dacus’s set.
“My friend cold FaceTimed me a few days ago and said, ‘Can I come sing with you at the show?’ So I’d like to invite my friend Chappell Roan to the stage,” Dacus told the crowd, which erupted in cheers.
Updated 12 Jan, 2026
The third Artists for Aid concert, held in Los Angeles on Saturday, managed to raise $5.4 million for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) and the Sudanese American Physicians Association.
Organised by Canadian Sudanese artist Mustafa the Poet and hosted by supermodel Bella Hadid and Pedro Pascal, the star-studded concert aimed to refocus on immediate relief for children and medical care in war-ravaged Palestinian territories and Sudan by utilising music as a tool to show solidarity.
“I always knew that an artist’s power did not come from their musical knowledge,” Mustafa said, introducing the night, the Los Angeles Times reported. “I always knew that an artist’s power comes from the expansion of their empathy.”
Hadid, while beginning the show, seemed to be in awe of the number of people who showed up for the Aid concert. While introducing herself and her co-host, Pascal, the supermodel stated the two main causes behind the concert: the people of Palestine and the people of Sudan.
“Families living through unimaginable loss, displacement, hunger, violence, tonight we attempt to shield them from genocide, working to erase them. Even remembering is a protest and I truly, truly stand by that,” she said.
“No matter what we can do in the world by just speaking, by loving and making sure they always feel heard is something that is most important in the entire world.”
“Let’s keep raising our voices and make sure these families and children know how much we stand with them,” she concluded.
The line-up for the concert held at the Shrine Auditorium in LA featured Alex G, Blood Orange, Clairo, Daniel Caesar, Faye Webster, Geese, Jazmine Sullivan, Lucy Dacus, Mustafa, Noname, Noor Hindi, Omar Apollo, Raphael Saadiq, Rayn Lenae, Rex Orange County, Safia Elhillo, Shawn Mendes, Snoh Aalegra, Tamino and 070 Shake.
To the fans‘ surprise, Chappell Roan made a surprise visit during Dacus’s set.
“My friend cold FaceTimed me a few days ago and said, ‘Can I come sing with you at the show?’ So I’d like to invite my friend Chappell Roan to the stage,” Dacus told the crowd, which erupted in cheers.
Lucy Dacus brought out Chappell Roan at ARTISTS FOR AID: Sudan and Palestine benefit concert.
The night’s most overt performances addressing the current crises came from Palestinian American and Sudanese American poets Noor Hindi and Safia Elhillo, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The PCRF was also part of the audience. In a social media post on X, the foundation expressed how honourable it was for them to be a part of this concert alongside thousands of attendees, “who showed how global solidarity can become real action, sending a powerful message of care and hope to children who have endured so much in both Palestine and Sudan.”
PCRF was honored to be part of the third edition of the incredible Artists for Aid benefit concert in Los Angeles, California, led by Sudanese-Canadian poet Mustafa and hosted by stars and long-time advocates for Palestinian children, Bella Hadid and Pedro Pascal.
In an unforgettable evening, twenty artists and performers, along with thousands of attendees, showed how global solidarity can become real action, sending a powerful message of care and hope to children who have endured so much in both Palestine and Sudan.
We were especially moved to see Diaa and Ayham, two of our children who were evacuated from Gaza for life-saving treatment abroad, attending the concert in person, thriving and strong once again, just as we wish for all the children we serve.
All funds raised will go directly toward supporting children served by PCRF and the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA), providing life-saving care where it is most needed in Palestine and Sudan.
PCRF was honored to be part of the third edition of the incredible Artists for Aid benefit concert in Los Angeles, California, led by Sudanese-Canadian poet Mustafa and hosted by stars and long-time advocates for Palestinian children, Bella Hadid and Pedro Pascal.
In an unforgettable evening, twenty artists and performers, along with thousands of attendees, showed how global solidarity can become real action, sending a powerful message of care and hope to children who have endured so much in both Palestine and Sudan.
We were especially moved to see Diaa and Ayham, two of our children who were evacuated from Gaza for life-saving treatment abroad, attending the concert in person, thriving and strong once again, just as we wish for all the children we serve.
All funds raised will go directly toward supporting children served by PCRF and the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA), providing life-saving care where it is most needed in Palestine and Sudan.
A huge thank you to Mustafa The Poet, Bella Hadid, Pedro Pascal, the incredible performers, the amazing audience, and of course our dedicated PCRF LA Chapter volunteers. Together, you made last night a success that will ripple across the lives of countless children, reminding them that they are never alone.
They revealed that two evacuated children from Gaza were also a part of the crowd.
“We were especially moved to see Diaa and Ayham, two of our children who were evacuated from Gaza for life-saving treatment abroad, attending the concert in person, thriving and strong once again, just as we wish for all the children we serve.”Via @ThePCRF/X
The concert was not the first relief effort organised to raise funds for Palestine, but it appeared to be one of the first large-scale efforts for Sudan.
In October, a Pride and Prejudice table-read starring Ambika Mod and Daisy Ridley was held to raise funds and in September, $2 million was raised through a benefit concert hosted by industry heavyweights, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Nicola Coughlan, Florence Pugh, and Richard Gere, among many others.
Though Hamas and Israel signed a truce on October 9, halting two years of devastating warfare, Amnesty International says Israel is still committing genocide in Gaza. At least 68,000 Palestinians were killed in Israel’s assault that left hospitals, schools, and homes devastated.
Sudan has been facing a vicious civil war since April 2023. Reported atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces — the main paramilitary militia fighting the Sudanese military — in the town of El-Fasher recently brought the world’s focus to the brutal conflict.
The RSF laid siege to the town for 18 months before finally capturing it. Eyewitnesses described scenes of absolute horror — bodies lying in the streets, mass executions, rape and torture. Famine has also been confirmed in parts of the affected area. The International Criminal Court has said that the brutalities committed in El-Fasher could constitute crimes against humanity.
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