UN Refugee Agency Partners with Women from World of Professional Football
to Support Victims of the Horn of Africa Crisis
October 3, 2011 - Washington, DC - USA for UNHCR and the United Nations Refugee Agency are pleased to announce a new partnership with Gridiron Girls 4 Africa (GG4A). The goal of the partnership is to raise $1 million to aid those affected by the famine in the Horn of Africa.
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Alexis McCombs, creator of Gridiron Girls 4 Africa
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The Gridiron Girls 4 Africa concept was created by Alexis McCombs, former host of AOL Sports’ “Instant She-Play.” After learning about the extreme suffering taking place in the Horn of Africa, Alexis decided she wanted to make a difference. She solicited support from two colleagues who work in professional football, Leslie Bonci, team nutritionist for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Randi Chapman, senior director of client services at Sports Trust Advisors.
“After watching news coverage about the drought, I wanted to make a small donation but felt it wouldn't be enough to affect the enormity of the crisis. I am by no means wealthy but thought about resources and contacts I have that could also help spread awareness and raise money - and so Gridiron Girls 4 Africa was born,” McCombs said.
As ambassadors for the cause, Gridiron Girls 4 Africa is using its contacts in the world of professional football and the media to raise $1 million from athletes and fans alike. A check will be presented to USA for UNHCR in Indianapolis during Super Bowl week in February. The money will help the UN Refugee Agency provide access to shelter, food, water, and medical care to the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children whose lives have been devastated by what UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres has called the “worst humanitarian disaster facing the world today.”
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Approximately 50% of children arriving
in UNHCR refugee camps are severely malnourished. Above, a malnourished
child receives nutrient-rich food to
reverse the effects of malnutrition.
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Somalia is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years and the United Nations has declared a famine in six regions of the country. Nearly half of Somalia’s population of 7.5 million people is affected. The situation is compounded by the volatile security circumstances inside Somalia, which has not had a formal government since 1991. More than 900,000 Somalis are living as refugees, mainly in neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia—300,000 have fled since the first of this year. A further 1.5 million are displaced inside Somalia.
Malnutrition, especially among children, is rampant. The situation has been compounded by a recent measles outbreak that affected much of the population. The UN Refugee Agency runs refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia and has been partnering on therapeutic feeding centers for malnourished children in the camps as well as those displaced inside Somalia. An aggressive measles vaccination campaign has been implemented. These interventions have been successful in reducing rates of malnutrition and measles, but more help is needed.
“To me it is all about the give back,” says Bonci, the Steelers’ nutritionist. She went on to say, “I have been very fortunate with my career and my personal life and find it extremely unfair that so many have so little.. EVERYONE in the world is entitled to be fed!”
The Gridiron Girls 4 Africa partnership will strengthen the Agency’s work by asking players and fans make donations online or by texting GRIDIRON to 80000 to donate $10 from their mobile device.** Just $10 will provide therapeutic feeding for one malnourished child.
* Gridiron Girls 4 Africa are not associated with the National Football League or the NFL Player’s Association.
** $10 donation to USA for UNHCR. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 80000 to STOP. Text HELP to 80000 for HELP.
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