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Leonardo DiCaprio donates 1 million dollars to Haiti fund

(Agencies)
2010-01-22 10:03

Leonardo DiCaprio, pictured in 2009, has become the latest star to back the Haiti earthquake relief effort, donating one million dollars to help the shattered country, a statement said Thursday.

LOS ANGELES – Leonardo DiCaprio has become the latest star to back the Haiti earthquake relief effort, donating one million dollars to help the shattered country, a statement said Thursday.

DiCaprio's donation was made to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Former US presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush House have been named as special coordinators of aid to Haiti by President Barack Obama.

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The pair established their Haiti fund to respond to needs in the country and improve the quality of life for victims of the devastating earthquake.

"I salute Leonardo DiCaprio for his extraordinary generosity," president George W. Bush said. "This donation sends a clear message to the people of Haiti that America's commitment to helping rebuild their country is strong.

"I thank Leo for setting a wonderful example for all Americans of helping a neighbor in need."

Several celebrities have made large donations to Haiti following last week's magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed at least 75,000 people according to Haitian government officials.

DiCaprio's supermodel ex-girlfriend Gisele Bundchen has donated 1.5 million dollars to the relief effort while power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated one million dollars to Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) for the organization's operations in Haiti.

Actress Sandra Bullock also gave a one million dollar donation, according to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.