UNDP’s match against poverty raises US$190,000 for the PH

Rappler.com

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UNDP's Match Against Poverty raised US$190,000 or more than P8.4 million for ongoing recovery efforts in the Philippines

GENEVA, Switzerland – The XI Match Against Poverty held last March in Bern, Switzerland raised US$190,000 or more than P8.4 million for ongoing recovery efforts in the Philippines where more than 5,000 people lost their lives last November to Typhoon Haiyan.

The announcement was made after all proceeds from ticket sales, broadcast rights, and sponsorships from the 4 Marchevent were received. A glittering lineup of world stars gave their time to travel to Switzerland to take part in the match, which was attended by 21,000 fans.

“We are grateful for the support of the people of the Philippines,” said Maurice Dewulf, UNDP Philippines Country Director .“We are proud that UNDP’s 11th Match Against Poverty provided an opportunity for the public to support the affected Filipino communities and help them rebuild their lives after the devastation caused by Haiyan.” 

Eighty-eight percent of total proceeds will be donated to the Philippines, BSC Young Boys will donate the remaining profits to the club’s partner charity, the Laureus Foundation Switzerland to support sports-related projects. The XI Match Against Poverty also received a donation of US$ 24,000 from Sony through their annual fund raising initiative “the 46th Aino Izumi” at the Sony Building in Ginza, Tokyo.

The funds for the Philippines will be used to increase awareness of disaster risks among the most disaster-prone communities. UNDP will undertake a major sensitization effort, which will include posting in a very large format recently prepared maps identifying specific locations where different natural disasters (such as storm surges, tsunami and earthquakes) might have the most severe impact.

The meaning of the maps and the hazard impacts would be explained to the concerned communities. This initiative will thus make a major contribution to a better understanding of what the disaster risks might be and allow all concerned to prepare and protect themselves against such disasters.

The UNDP team led by Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane played against the Bern professional football club, BSC Young Boys and Friends. The match, which ended at 8-6 in favor of the UNDP team, also saw other football legends such as Luís Figo, Fabio Cannavaro, Fernando Hierro, Paolo Maldini and Pavel Nedved. UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and Five-time FIFA women’s World Player  Marta Vieira da Silva was also part of the team. 

The Young Boys side was composed of current and former players from BSC Young Boys and was led by former Swiss internationals Stéphane Chapuisat and Hakan Yakin.

The Match against Poverty is supported by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). UEFA’s President Michel Platini backed the cause by attending the game and serving as coach of the Zidane, Ronaldo and Friends team alongside Dutch great Ruud Gullit.  

The Match in Bern follows ten successful editions that took place in Basel, Madrid, Düsseldorf, Marseille, Málaga, Lisbon, Fez, Athens, Hamburg and Porto Alegre. Each year funds raised support specific development projects in different countries around the world. Proceeds from the matches have contributed to sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in 29 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. – Rappler.com 

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