‘Game Of Thrones’ Partnering With Refugee Rescue Organization In Fundraising Campaign

Beginning today, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) will run a series of videos and ads featuring the cast of Game of Thrones, where they ask viewers to support the IRC’s efforts to provide assistance to refugees all over the world. It will run until the end of Game of Thrones’ sixth season. The ads that make up the campaign will be available only through YouTube, the IRC microsite, and social media platforms, as reported by the New York Times.

The non-profit was moved to reach out to Game of Thrones, because they felt that the story the TV show tells is a sort of fantasy version of real-life situations that create refugee issues. Game of Thrones is a fantasy story that includes civil wars and the banishment of fictional characters. Refugees result from real-life conflicts and exile. The name of the campaign is Rescue Has No Boundaries. It will feature Game of Thrones actors Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Liam Cunningham, DeObia Oparei, John Bradley, Tom Wlaschiha, Eugene Simon, and Oona Chaplin and will seek to communicate the urgency of rescuing refugees all over the world.

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Ekathimerini reports that in one of the videos, Lena Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister on Game ofThrones, informs viewers of the work the organization does for refugees.

“Mass exodus: millions on the move, escaping war, famine, and destruction… The [IRC] is providing relief for over three million people across the region working tirelessly in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Serbia, Turkey and in Greece. And helping thousands of families who have been offered safe haven in the United States to start over and rebuild their lives.”

And Liam Cunningham, who plays the part of Davos Seaworth on Game of Thrones, explains the magnitude of the growing refugee issue when he says, “Every month, hundreds of thousands of people flee their homes.”

Joining this Game of Thrones refugee campaign is Omaze. PR Newswire describes them as an experience-based fundraising platform. They will provide a website through April 5 that Game of Thrones fans can use to get a chance to attend the Season 6 premiere with the cast, followed by the cast after party. Fans need to donate only $10 or more in order to be entered in this random drawing. In addition, other Game of Thrones items, such as T-shirts, will be available for purchase. All donations raised through Omaze will benefit the IRC and their refugee rescue efforts.

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Rescue Has No Boundaries and its partnership with HBO and Game of Thrones in its effort to assist refugees reflects a new trend in fundraising, where stars are used to target a specific audience.

Katherine Rosqueta, the executive director of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania, commented on the method.

“It brings a fictional story of displacement and conflict to a real-life one and hopes viewers will be prompted to donate… And it’s bringing the cause to the audience, rather than the audience to the cause.”

Game of Thrones cast members remind viewers that there are 60 million displaced people worldwide.

“Real people, now on the most dangerous journey of them all.”

Half the population of Syria has fled their homes. Game of Thrones actors urge viewers to “rise up” and help refugees by making a donation. The videos end with the campaign slogan, “Rescue has no boundaries.” HBO chairman Richard Plepler commented on their ability to assist in the refugee rescue effort by using the appeal of Game of Thrones.

“We’re calling attention to a global tragedy. The first step is to get people in a crowded world to pay attention, and it sometimes helps to have celebrities raise the issue.”

The IRC hopes to raise $1 million dollars for refugee rescue work through the Game of Thrones campaign.

[Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images]