Crisis Relief

Crisis Relief

By Caitlin Moyles

Back to FIFA’s Humanitarian Aid and Corporate Social Responsibility

Over the past decade, FIFA has a strong track record of providing funds to countries that have been struck by crises and natural disasters. Generally, FIFA grants funds to rebuild football infrastructure and provide sporting or administrative material that has been destroyed or lost. A statement on FIFA’s website articulates the goal of FIFA’s aid in disaster-struck regions: “to return the sporting life of the affected region to normal as quickly as possible, especially for young people, so as to allow locals to enjoy the simple pleasures football can bring and restore a sense of normality” [1].

In 2012, FIFA and the Japan Football Association invited children from the disaster-struck Fukushima Prefecture to attend one of the Japanese national team's matches.

In 2012, FIFA and the Japan Football Association invited children from the disaster-struck Fukushima Prefecture to attend one of the Japanese national team’s matches.

In light of FIFA’s rapid rise to wealth, and the fact that it represents more than 200 member associations around the world, it is heartening to see FIFA step up to the plate to help countries return to normalcy through sport—especially since rebuilding stadiums and replacing sporting equipment are not top priorities for other aid organizations.

Timeline of events:

The 2004 Asian tsunami—

  • Countries: Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and India
  • Funds granted: $10.55 million
  • Projects: Rebuilding of infrastructure, soccer stadiums, distribution of sporting equipment, and Football for Hope clinics

Earthquake in northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005—

  • Funds granted: $500,000, plus $200,000 pledged by the Asian Football Confederation
  • Projects: Construction of a training complex in Peshawar, reconstruction of ground and office facilities, two three-week Football for Hope clinics

Tsunami in American Samoa, caused by earthquake on September 29, 2009—

  • Project: FIFA approved a project through the Goal program to rebuild a technical center in Pago Pago, featuring a grass pitch and accommodation facility

February 27, 2010 earthquake in Chile, followed by a tsunami—

  • Funds granted: emergency fund of $250,000, followed by allocation of $1.2 million for the Goal program
  • Project: the Goal program built an artificial pitch and dressing rooms in the Concepcion province

Earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010—

  • Funds granted: $250,000 in emergency aid, followed by $3 million allocated to a special fund for the country
  • Projects: $379,500 paid to clubs affiliated with the Haitian Football Association; restarting the Haitian championship; renovation and expansion of the national technical center, as well as the purchasing sporting equipment and various materials; renovation of the Sylvio Cator stadium in Port-au-Prince

[2]

Floods in Pakistan in 2010—

  • Funds granted: Business Recorder reported that Vice President of FIFA Dr. Chung Mong-joon donated $400,000 for the rehabilitation of flood-hit people in Pakistan.

March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan—

Earthquakes in near Christchurch, New Zealand in February and June, 2011—

  • Funds granted: $300,000

Conflict in Somalia—

  • Funds granted: In August 2011, FIFA also donated $1 million in aid relief to the Red Cross for programs helping people affected by drought and conflict in Somalia.
  • Project: A third of the funds are for the acquisition and transportation of food to feed 25,000 families for a month; remaining funds for the Red Cross’s efforts to tackle the food crisis in Somalia. [7] [8]

How to cite this article: “FIFA Institutional Politics,” Written by Brittney Balser, Christina Malliris, Caitlin Moyles, and Maggie Lin (2013), World Cup 2014, Soccer Politics Blog, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp (accessed on (date)).

Sources for more information

[1] “Emergency assistance.” FIFA.com. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/projects/emergencyassistance.html

[2] “Emergency assistance.” FIFA.com. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/projects/emergencyassistance.html

[3] “FIFA donates $400,000 for rehabilitation of flood victims.” Business Recorder 26 Oct. 2010. General OneFile. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/single/595/0/1116693/

[4] Associated Press. “FIFA offers financial aid to J-League.” ESPN.com. 16 June 2011. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6667456/fifa-provide-financial-aid-japanese-soccer

[5] “Activity Report 2011,” p. 35. FIFA.com. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/62/06/21/fifa_ar2011_e_gesamt.pdf

[6] “Activity Report 2011,” p. 35. FIFA.com. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/62/06/21/fifa_ar2011_e_gesamt.pdf

[7] “Activity Report 2011,” p. 35. FIFA.com. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/62/06/21/fifa_ar2011_e_gesamt.pdf

[8] “Humanitarian crisis in Somalia: FIFA donates USD 1 million in aid relief.” FIFA.com. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/socialresponsibility/news/newsid=1490912/

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