“Homes, businesses and livelihoods were destroyed and many of our close friends, including our colleagues in the Vanuatu football community, were left without homes,” Patel says.
“It is with great pleasure that I stand before you on behalf of FIFA and OFC to present our contribution to the Vanuatu Cyclone Appeal, and we hope to see the smiles returning to the faces of the children of Vanuatu.”
The OFC and UNICEF partnered up for the duration of the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League in support of the appeal, with the region’s premier club competition providing a wide audience – both regionally and globally.
Patel made the presentation to UNICEF Pacific Representative Karen Allen ahead of the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League final between Auckland City FC and Team Wellington of New Zealand on Sunday 26 April.
Dr Allen expressed immense gratitude to FIFA and OFC on behalf of UNICEF and the people of Vanuatu for the generous donation.
“Your contribution demonstrates your commitment to children affected by Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu,” Dr Allen said.
“These funds will be used specifically to buy and distribute school and sports supplies for children in early childhood and primary schools. These supplies will relieve parents’ anxiety of not being able to afford the costs of sending their children back to school.”
OFC President David Chung was at FIFA House in Zurich when he learned about the extent of the damage being wreaked on the Pacific by Cyclone Pam.
The timing allowed him to make an immediate and direct request for special assistance from his FIFA Executive Committee colleagues, who were equally as swift in committing to the worthy cause.
Further Information:
About The 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League
The 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League brought together the club champions from eight of the 11 OFC Member Associations. The annual tournament is a thrilling extravaganza of football with the teams vying for the ultimate prize – a spot in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup – with Auckland City FC taking that honour this year.
About OFC
OFC is charged with the task of servicing and administering football in the Oceania region while also using the game as a tool for social development. The confederation is led by OFC President David Chung who was elected to office in 2011.
The Just Play Programme is designed and monitored by the OFC Social Responsibility department, in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission, Football Federation Australia, UEFA and UNICEF. For more information about OFC or its 11 Member Associations visit: www.oceaniafootball.com
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and our work in the Pacific visit: unicefpacific.org
About the Cyclone Appeal
Tropical Cyclone Pam, a Category 5 cyclone has affected over 166,000 people on 22 islands, including 82,000 children. Schools, hospitals and care facilities have all been affected, leaving children vulnerable and without many basic services.
UNICEF currently has about 65 per cent of the funds required to deliver life-saving aid to thousands of children and their families in Vanuatu and other affected countries. An additional US$2 million is needed to provide access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, lifesaving health and nutrition interventions, education and protection until the end of 2015.
To donate please visit: www.supportunicef.org/cyclonedonate
For more information on the appeal please contact: Alice Clements at [email protected]

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