London, United Kingdom, June 17, 2024 — Ahead of Refugee Week (17th June – 23rd June) in the UK, International Rescue Committee (IRC) Ambassadors, actors Rami Malek and Indira Varma, visited the organisation's new "Climate Changed My Home" photography exhibition on display at London Bridge City, from now until Sunday 30th June 2024.
They met with representatives of the IRC to find out more about the people featured in the exhibition and the charity’s solutions to the worsening climate crisis. While conflict-affected, climate-vulnerable communities contribute the least to climate change, they bear its worst impacts.
This free open-air exhibition showcases the photos and stories of people bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, from refugees in East Africa struggling with the impacts of drought, to displaced communities in Pakistan whose homes have been destroyed by floods.
Rami Malek said,
“I feel honored to have visited this powerful exhibition that brings to life the stories of people on the frontline of the climate crisis. I was particularly struck by how the IRC is using cash to give people the power to choose how they support themselves and their families – I loved reading about Faiza from Nigeria, who is using this cash to expand her fish businesses and feed her family.”
Indira Varma said,
“This exhibition is a must visit for anyone in London. The striking photos not only highlight the impacts of the climate crisis, but they showcase some of the solutions too, like innovative farming techniques and cash grants, which are so important for protecting people’s livelihoods.”
Caption: International Rescue Committee ambassadors, actors Rami Malek and Indira Varma, visit the charity’s “Climate Changed my Home” exhibition in London to mark Refugee Week in the UK. The free exhibition, running until 30th June, showcases the stories of refugees and displaced people living on the frontline of the climate crisis
Photos and captions available to download HERE.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
All photography of Indira Varma and Rami Malek should be credited as: Rhiannon Adam for the IRC.
For more information, please contact Freya Carr, [email protected] or Elizabeth Kent, [email protected] for UK enquiries, and James Sussman, [email protected] for US enquiries.
About Rami Malek
Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek is well known for his role as Freddie Mercury, the legendary musician and refugee from Zanzibar. Named an IRC ambassador in 2021, Rami is a first-generation American born to Egyptian parents; he cares deeply about issues facing immigrant and refugee families. He is a proud supporter of the IRC’s mission and is an advocate for welcoming refugees worldwide.
About Indira Varma
Olivier Award-winning actor Indira Varma has been working with the IRC since 2016, supporting and spreading awareness of refugee stories within the UK and beyond. With a father from India and a mother from Switzerland, Indira’s international background contributes greatly to her humanitarian involvement. Indira has visited IRC programs in countries such as Serbia where thousands of refugees remained stranded following the closing of borders along the Balkan route. As Indira reflected, “all these stories, all these people, are valid. They are on the move for a reason.”
About Refugee Week
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Established in 1998 in the UK, this annual festival aligns with World Refugee Day, celebrated globally on 20th June.