In a remarkable show of solidarity, around forty streamers have joined forces for a fundraising event aimed at supporting the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank. The initiative, named 'Streamers 4 Palestinians,' began on Friday and reached an impressive 628,000 euros by Tuesday morning, just ahead of its planned conclusion on Wednesday evening.
Prominent French streamers such as Domingo, Gotaga, Zerator, and Mister MV, as well as journalists Clément Viktorovitch and Samuel Étienne, have participated in the event. The fundraising drive, spearheaded by streamer Baghera Jones, was launched in response to a recent Israeli strike on a camp for displaced people in the Gaza Strip.
Virginie Poux, innovation project manager in the collection department of Médecins du Monde, expressed her gratitude, saying, 'This wasn't a planned campaign, but we are very moved because we have significant financial needs on the ground.' Members of the NGO joined several of the streaming sessions to explain how the funds would be used and to answer viewers' questions.
The speed and efficiency of the 'Streamers 4 Palestinians' campaign illustrate the power of Twitch and similar platforms in mobilizing resources quickly. 'Streamers often broadcast daily, for several hours, and largely improvisationally,' explained sociologist Samuel Coavoux, an expert on such platforms. 'Everything is already in place for events like this.'
The fundraiser follows similar efforts in mid-May when 'Stream for Palestine,' led by lesser-known creators, collected over 12,000 euros in a weekend. On Thursday, a similar initiative in Los Angeles, 'Creators for Palestine,' saw dozens of YouTube and TikTok influencers raise $1.5 million for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other humanitarian organizations.
These online charity drives are becoming a vital support mechanism for various causes. In recent years, events such as the Zevent charity marathon, which raised 10 million euros for environmental associations in 2022, and SpeeDons, which collected 2 million euros in March to benefit Médecins du Monde, have set donation records.
The reliance of streamers on their audiences for regular or one-off donations is well-established, and events like these showcase the fundraising potential of this model. However, there is always a risk of alienating part of their audience when involving political causes. 'There is always a risk in political commitment, but charitable commitment based on compassion rather than demands is safer,' commented Coavoux.
- The involvement of notable personalities and the transparency provided by NGO representatives were key components that bolstered the success of these fundraising events. Audiences not only donated money but also gained a better understanding of the issues on the ground, making the cause more relatable and urgent.
