UNDP Match Against Poverty

As in previous years, UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane are mobilizing their friends to take on the Hamburger Sport-Verein tonight at the Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Most of the proceeds of this year's friendly match will go towards addressing the ongoing food crisis in the Horn of Africa, where more than 13 million people have been left in need by famine, drought, conflict and high food prices.

“Through the 2011 edition in Hamburg we hope we will be able to raise both awareness and funds for the people in need in the Horn of Africa,” said Zinédine Zidane, current Director of Sport of the Real Madrid football club. “And, while I obviously hope to win, the Match Against Poverty is much more than a game: it is part of the global fight against poverty.”

Two thirds of the match proceeds will be used to bolster humanitarian and recovery activities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The UN is working in these countries to provide emergency food aid, water, shelter and health services, while working on longer term development plans. Proceeds from the previous eight Matches Against Poverty have benefited projects in more than 27 developing countries, including recent recovery efforts in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods.

Other soccer-related campaigns

Comic book "Score the Goals"

The 32-page educational comic book features 10 football Goodwill Ambassadors, namely Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Baggio, Michael Ballack, Iker Casillas, Didier Drogba, Luis Figo, Raúl, Ronaldo, Patrick Vieira, and Zinédine Zidane, who become shipwrecked on an island on their way to playing an ‘all-star’ charity football game in support of the United Nations. Whilst on the island, the team has to tackle the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) along their journey towards being rescued.

Kick Out Poverty

A multi-lingual public service announcement featuring Didier Drogba and Zinédine Zidane, calling on citizens of the world to join the team that will beat poverty. The TV spot was broadcast during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Teams to end Poverty

Teams to end Poverty is a global communication and partnerships initiative that is designed to involve the general public in anti-poverty actions. It has enlisted the support of Ronaldo and Zidane and many celebrities ((including Carla Bruni, Gerard Depardieu, Jamel Debbouze, Patrick Demarchelier, Sergio Garcia, LeBron James, Jeanne Moreau, Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Wim Wenders), each of whom has contributed significant time, energy and/or resources to causes supported by UNDP.

Source: UNDP