In early April, the FIFA President, together with the chairman of the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund and AFC President, Mohamed bin Hammam, will visit the countries affected by the tsunami in a show of solidarity and to take a look at the assistance projects set up in the region by the football family.

FIFA did not waste any time in showing its solidarity after the tsunami struck in December 2004. Just a few days after the disaster, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (FAC) donated USD 2 million and USD 1 million respectively to the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund. UEFA donated a further USD 1 million and thanks to the generosity of the many benefactors around the world and the “Football for Hope” match in Barcelona, the fund raised more than USD 10.6 million. “We will never forget the football family’s speed and generosity in their aid for the victims,” stressed FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

The vast majority of pledges to the fund have been collected and action has been taken in a number of the affected regions. Approximately USD 8.7 million has been distributed to fund construction projects in six FIFA member associations (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand). Football pitches have been relaid, club facilities have been rebuilt, footballs have been distributed among children and matches have been organised.

Joseph S. Blatter was eager to visit these countries, and will now do so together with the chairman of the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund, Mohamed bin Hammam, in order to take a first-hand look at the progress of this reconstruction work and to see for himself the effect that the football family’s help has had on the countries affected by the disaster. “Sport helping people to prevail in the face of adversity is a whole new form of assistance,” said the FIFA President. “At FIFA, and together with experts in humanitarian aid, we have seen how our game can be so vital in precarious situations.  Using sport as a means of therapy for children who have suffered great trauma is a whole new undertaking, but it is one that is already bearing fruit. After disasters such as this, the objective is to help people return to normality,” concluded Joseph S. Blatter.

Travel itinerary:

Official visit to Bangladesh: 31 March – 2 April 2006

FIFA/AFC solidarity visit to countries affected by the tsunami

· Male, Maldives, 2-3 April 2006
· Kalutara/Colombo, Sri Lanka, 3-4 April 2006
· Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 4 April 2006
· Phuket, Thailand, 4-5 April 2006

Further information from:

FIFA Media Department
Tel.: +41-43 222 7272
Fax: +41-43 222 7373
E-mail: media@fifa.org

FIFA COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION / Zurich, 30 March 2006 / 2006-041-VisiteP-Tsunami-E.doc