FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Raúl González |
Goodwill ambassador for
the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Raúl González has
called for support towards prevention of nutrition crisis in the Sahel region
of West Africa.
The Spanish football
star, González visited Chad recently where more than 17 million people are at
risk of hunger with over 1 million children under five, facing acute hunger.
FAO revealed to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement that
the European Commission had increased their support to FAO in Chad by $1.3 million,
about N208.3 million bringing its total support for the region to be $355 million,
about N56.88 billion in 2012.
Identifying the fact
that supporting local farmers and herders as priorities before and during the
next planting season, Raúl said "If we want to help people grow their own
food, funds are needed now."
The total amount needed
by FAO in order to assist Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger
and Senegal is estimated at $97 million.
Director General, FOA,
José Graziano da Silva said the funds would be used for seed distribution,
small-scale irrigations schemes, fodder production and vaccination campaigns.
Director General, FOA, José Graziano da Silva |
"We are losing the
opportunity to give local communities the means to stop jumping from crisis to
crisis," FAO boss, José Graziano warns, urging coordinated action that
builds up their resilience and links relief with development.
Raúl's visitation to
Chad, FAO noted, is part of "Professional Football Against Hunger," a
campaign launched in 2008 by the European Football League which represents 30
largest professional football leagues and almost 800 clubs across Europe,
stressing that the campaign is also FAO's leading international efforts to
defeat hunger.
Sir David Richards,
Chairman of the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL),
said they are partnering with European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and
FAO on this project.
"We are proud to use the power and
popularity of football," he said, pointing out that European professional
football is providing a megaphone to raise awareness for their work, so that
the right help could get to the people in need as soon as possible.
Yinka Awosanya/LS
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