By David Gold
August 4 – Issa Hayatou, President of the African Football Confederation (CAF), has urged football authorities across the continent to organise charity games in aid of the victims of the famine plaguing the Horn of Africa.
A severe food crisis has hit Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Uganda over recent months, with millions of people affected, and half the population of Somalia alone in need of urgent life-saving aid.
The international community is attempting to help those in need of care, but are facing a number of obstacles to tackle what has been described as the worst drought in the region in 60 years.
“As you are well aware, the Horn of Africa is facing serious drought, affecting 13 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Uganda,” Hayatou said in a statement.
CAF wants to use football’s popularity in Africa to help raise funds to tackle the crisis and Hayatou wants football chiefs to convince football clubs to take part in solidarity games, with the profits being used to help charities working in the famine hit regions.
“Urgent humanitarian support is needed for these countries,” added Hayatou.
“The African football family cannot stay without reacting to this severe food crisis.
“I would like you to mobilise football clubs in your country, and organise a solidarity match; revenues will be distributed to an institution of your choice to support projects related to famine in the horn of Africa.”
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