We are always hearing about the charitable work stars are doing here and abroad, but we usually never get a chance to see it. This Thursday, June 26, a special edition of “Nightline” will feature footage of Ben Affleck’s most recent trip to Africa. Affleck states that “people should see actors on television doing charitable work and be suspicious of that. At the end of watching this, I hope they find themselves less suspicious of that and more interested in this and perhaps involved in it.”
The multi-talented actor, writer, producer and director has made three trips in the last eight months to the Congo region. On his last trip “Nightline” producer, Max Culhane, and photographer Doug Vogt, joined Affleck on his journey through hospitals, clinics and refugee camps. The three met warlords, child soldiers, relief workers and members of parliament in an effort to learn first-hand about one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises.
More than 4 million people have died in the region. The conflict is considered to be the deadliest since the Holocaust in World War II. The non-stop fighting, combined with disease and starvation, is estimated to take about 45,000 lives per month since 1998.
We’ve learned through Affleck’s exploration, that one in five children die before reaching age five. Children who survive are often forced into serving as child soldiers for militia groups – groups who terrorize the population.
“Congo is in terrible shape,” Affleck says. “What’s going on here in this country is humanitarian disaster.” He explains that the mission statement for his journey in Africa and the resulting video essay for “Nightline”, will hopefully help people understand the situation more thoroughly. “I think just helping people understand could have a real ripple effect down the road and this piece will be one small incremental step in that.”
Tune in to ABCs “Nightline” this week at 11:30 to learn more about the disaster and support Affleck’s mission to bring change to the world.
