UEFA pledges tsunami aid

UEFA is making a total contribution of €1.5m (US$2m) for relief efforts on behalf of victims of the natural disaster in south and Southeast Asia.

ICRC help
European football's governing body said today that it was donating €750,000 (US$1m) to one of its main charity partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to help relief work for child victims in the region. Additionally, UEFA has made a donation of €750,000 to the Tsunami Solidarity Fund set up by world football's governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Solidarity fund
The funds donated to the ICRC will be used to help children in countries affected by the tsunami, especially Sri Lanka and Indonesia - "two countries where the International Committee of the Red Cross had already a strong presence before the disaster due to the ongoing conflict situations" according to UEFA.

Increasing assistance
"The ICRC will split the donation among various activities they are running on site," UEFA added. "It will help them to work on reuniting families torn by the tsunami in both Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In addition, the ICRC will be able to increase their assistance related to ongoing projects, notably the protection of the children affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka."

Existing relationship
"The disaster which hit the area around the Indian Ocean provoked unprecedented signs of solidarity and sympathy," said UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson. "Through the existing relationship with the ICRC, the European football family is convinced that the US$1m donated will be used quickly and effectively for those in the need."

Humanitarian support
The European football body has been constantly prepared over the years to support humanitarian causes. UEFA's partnership with the ICRC began in 1997 with its support for the ICRC campaign against landmines. Since then, UEFA has provided the ICRC with support in promoting Red Cross campaigns. Last summer, UEFA decided to link the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals in Portugal with an initiative of the ICRC – the 'Protect Children in War' campaign.

ICRC grateful

Contribution
The UEFA contribution to the FIFA/AFC solidarity fund should be used to help the affected member associations as well as the local population of the stricken region.

* Click here for the official ICRC site
* Click here for details of the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund