FIFA, as part of the legacy fund for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will allocate $50 million shared between the WHO, the WTO and the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), with a view to developing social programs.
FIFA announced on Wednesday a multifaceted commitment to some of its international partners. With the World Health Organization (WHO), the governing body of world Football will support the “Beat the heat” initiative which fights for the protection of people working in regions exposed to extreme heat, linked to climate change . It will support, in partnership with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund, a program aimed at helping women exploit opportunities in international trade and the digital economy through grants and technical assistance.
Finally, with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), it will provide support to refugees and displaced people from the Middle East and North Africa. These various commitments will mobilize a total envelope of $50 million. In its 2022 annual financial report, FIFA announced a gross profit linked to the World Cup in Qatar of nearly $5.8 billion. The announcement of this financial aid from FIFA angered Amnesty International.
“It is shameful that FIFA and Qatar have launched their long-awaited legacy fund without any recognition of their obvious responsibility towards the large number of migrant workers who have been exploited and, in many cases, died to make the World Cup 2022,” said Steve Cockburn, head of Amnesty International’s labor rights and sport section, in a statement.
“(…) This inheritance fund cannot be the end of the story. FIFA must finally do the right thing and provide meaningful reparations to all those whose rights have been violated and violated because of its flagship tournament,” he added.
Sami Nemli With Agency / ECO Inspirations
Morocco
