June 21 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is partnering with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ease the plight of refugees within the AFC region with the first joint pilot project under the agreement being the support of the Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.
At a signing ceremony at AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John (pictured left) said: “The AFC is delighted to work with UNHCR to have a real, positive impact on lives across Asia. Football is a powerful tool for social development and it is our responsibility to spread the joy of the beautiful game as wide as possible.”
The AFC will work with the UNHCR centrally and through its AFC Dream Asia Foundation.
UNHCR Malaysia runs programmes that promote self-reliance, empowerment and social inclusion. Football can be a powerful force in this respect and the AFC, which signed an international MoU with UNHCR last December, states as an aim “to undertake effective social responsibility campaigns and promote the game of football and its unifying educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
Richard Towle (pictured right), UNHCR Representative in Malaysia, said: “Refugees often remain invisible in society. As the UNHCR looks to find ways to make their plight visible, we are excited to partner with the Asian Football Confederation, an international football organisation with integrity and credibility.
“Football can help refugees connect with their host countries, giving them visibility and purpose, in addition to providing health and educational benefits.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714030746labto1714030746ofdlr1714030746owedi1714030746sni@n1714030746osloh1714030746cin.l1714030746uap1714030746
