Just in time for the holiday season, a time when charitable giving increases, NFL players have joined FWD, a national public awareness campaign designed to inform Americans of the extreme famine, war and drought in the Horn of Africa. Developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ad Council, the FWD campaign encourages Americans to forward the facts about the crisis and to donate to the relief efforts.
“Right now, the famine, war, and drought in the Horn of Africa is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, impacting more than 13 million people,” said USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah. “The worst drought in 60 years and worst famine in 20 years, has caused live stock to die and is forcing people to walk more 100 miles just to get something to eat.”
The new television PSAs, taped in November, feature Ray Lewis , Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens; Asante Samuel , Cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles; Nnamdi Asomugha , Cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles; Maurice Jones-Drew , Running Back for the Jacksonville Jaguars; Greg Jennings , Wide Receiver for the Green Bay Packers; Larry Fitzgerald , Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals; Josh Freeman , Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Lamarr Woodley , Linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Matt Forte , Halfback for the Chicago Bears and Jeff Saturday, Center for the Indianapolis Colts.
Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardnials
“Given the magnitude of the number of people impacted by the crisis in the Horn of Africa, it was a privilege to be called upon, along with other players in the NFL, to increase awareness about this tragedy,” said Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. “I would encourage all NFL fans to join us by FWDing the facts to their family and friends to provide aid to those in need in Africa.”
Launched in October, FWD – an acronym for famine, war and drought – is a multimedia campaign which aims to encourage Americans to spread awareness of the crisis in the Horn of Africa, support the humanitarian organizations conducting relief operations and learn more about the solutions through President Obama’s Feed the Future initiative. The United States Government initiative addresses the root causes of chronic hunger by helping to foster better farming, stronger markets and greater resilience to climate shocks.
Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens
“Teaming up with USAID and the Ad Council on this campaign has broadened my awareness of the human suffering caused by the famine, war and drought in the Horn of Africa,” said Ray Lewis, Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. “Join us in this important campaign. Spread the word, make a donation and know that together, we can make a difference.”
The Ad Council will distribute the PSAs to media outlets nationwide. Per the Ad Council’s model, all of the PSAs will air in advertising time that is donated by the media.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years. The United States is the largest bilateral donor of emergency assistance to the eastern Horn of Africa. To learn more about U.S. assistance and how to help, visit www.usaid.gov /FWD .
