Neil Gaiman launches new crowdsourced video of his poem “What You Need to Be Warm”

Last year, UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador Neil Gaiman asked his 2.5 million Twitter followers to share with him words and memories that reminded them of warmth. After receiving thousands of responses from people from all around the world, he found himself with a 25,000-word document that inspired him to write the poem ‘What You Need to Be Warm’.

Gaiman’s inspiring poem helped raise funds for Syrian and Iraqis families facing harsh winter conditions across the Middle East. This year, the British author shared the poem again and asked his followers to help bring it to life by submitting artwork online that could be recreated in an animated film.

More than 900 pieces of art and images were crowdsourced for ten days using the hashtag #drawforrefugees. The crowdsourced images were combined with live action shots of Gaiman reading the poem. 

“This year has been incredibly challenging and difficult for many people around the world. But this was an opportunity to come together to show kindness and creativity and to help thousands of vulnerable families,” said Gaiman.

There are more than 10 million refugees and internally displaced people across the Middle East and North Africa region who have been uprooted from their homes. Most of them are living in substandard shelters with little protection from the cold and unable to cover the additional expenses that the winter brings. 

Join Neil Gaiman and give the gift of warmth this winter. By becoming USA for UNHCR’s newest donor, you can help keep refugees warm and safe and protect millions of men, women and children who rely on our support.