In the Feb. 9 episode of David Letterman's Netflix show, "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction," George and Amal Clooney revealed they are sponsoring Hazim Avdal, a 23-year-old Yazidi refugee from Iraq.
Letterman went to Kentucky to visit the Clooneys and Avdal. Avdal recounted the horrors he had witnessed in the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq. He told Letterman how Yazidis were either killed or held captive. Moreover, he said that seven mass graves were found in the village where he used to live.
Prior to the Feb. 9 episode of Letterman's show, George had revealed in an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter in Sept. 2017 that they had taken a Yazidi refugee, Avdal, from Iraq into their home. George said that Avdal was in a bus on the way to Mosul when ISIS attacked, killing the two bus drivers. George also said that the terrorists also threatened to shoot anyone who wanted to go to college. Avdal survived and was sponsored by the Clooneys to America where George and Amal found a way for him to continue his education.
In an interview with Letterman on his show, Amal, who is an international human rights lawyer, said that she met Avdal while she was representing the Yazidis who had been victims of genocide by ISIS. She said she was struck by his courage, spirit and his desire for justice.
Letterman also asked George if he would have sponsored Avdal had he been working "at a Dairy Queen." George said that the reason why he was able to sponsor Avdal was indeed because he can afford to do so. Moreover, he said that since he is financially capable, he should "spread some of this luck around."
Avdal is currently a student at the University of Chicago and is living at the Clooney's home in Augusta, Kentucky.
