FC Barcelona plays Manchester City - and refugee children are the winners
In front of more than 94,000 fans, Barcelona players sport a new shirt to raise money for sports and education for refugee children.
BARCELONA, Spain, August 24 (UNHCR) - When FC Barcelona took to the field for the 44th Joan Gamper Trophy last week, what mattered to 25 million refugees and others helped by UNHCR around the world was not the outcome - Barcelona lost 1-0 to Manchester City - but the distinctive jerseys the Spanish side were wearing.
In front of more than 94,000 fans who turned out for the annual pre-season competition that carries the name of the founder of FC Barcelona, the players sported new MÉS campaign jerseys specially designed by Nike for the occasion.
MÉS is an alliance between FC Barcelona, Nike and UNHCR launched last year with the slogan "More than a Club" to raise money for sports and education projects for young and vulnerable refugees by selling specially-designed sweatshirts, tee shirts and caps.
By wearing the newest jerseys, the FC Barcelona players intended to draw attention to the plight of the 42 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, nearly 25 million of whom were receiving protection or assistance from UNHCR at the end of 2008.
FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta said the club's commitment to work with UNHCR "is what makes us different from our competitors. It means commitment and solidarity, and Barcelona's solidarity is now a reality."
A limited edition of 1,899 of the new jerseys are being produced worldwide, the number corresponding to the year FC Barcelona was founded. The limited edition MÉS jersey will be sold exclusively in three Barcelona stores and online through the website www.mesfootball.org.
The jerseys the players wore in last week's game against Manchester City of the English Premier League will also be auctioned in September to raise more money for UNHCR projects, which have already benefited thousands of refugee children in Nepal, Ecuador, and Rwanda.
By Rosa Otero
in Barcelona, Spain
Related news and stories
Football brings refugees and host community together in Angola
Ukrainian refugees relieve stress with a support dog named Noir
Goal Click allows displaced people to document the healing power of football
A safe space for Ukraine's refugees in Romania
UNHCR, UNICEF establish dozens of support hubs in countries hosting Ukrainian refugees
'I have seen first-hand how children's education has suffered'
-
UNHCR appeals for renewed support and solutions for Rohingya refugees
23 Aug 2022 -
Financial statements for the year 2021 as contained in the Report of the Board of Auditors to the General Assembly on the financial report and audited financial statements of the voluntary funds administered by UNHCR for the year ended 31 December 2021
23 Aug 2022 -
Internal audit in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022
23 Aug 2022 This report provides an overview of the internal audit activities undertaken by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in respect of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), covering the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. It is provided pursuant to the decision of the Executive Committee to consider reports relating to programme and administrative oversight during its annual plenary session. -
Report on activities of the Inspector General's Office
23 Aug 2022 This report covers the work of the Inspector General's Office for the period from July 2021 to June 2022. It is provided pursuant to the decision of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme to consider reports relating to programme and administrative oversight and evaluation during its annual plenary session. -
Report on evaluation
23 Aug 2022 This report, covering the period from July 2021 to June 2022, is provided pursuant to the decision of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme to consider reports relating to programme and administrative oversight and evaluation during its annual plenary session. -
Bassel and Stella: a musician and his dog's journey to safety in Belgium
22 Aug 2022 -
Tackling sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment: 2020-2022 Strategy and Action plan
22 Aug 2022 During the past two years, UNHCR has made significant progress in tackling sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH) within the organization and has contributed equally in doing so within the humanitarian and development sectors. -
Syrian musician and his dog reunited after journey to safety in Belgium
22 Aug 2022 Bassel arrived in Belgium without his constant companion Stella, but through the warmth of strangers they were reunited. -
EvO/2022/09 UNHCR Mexico Country Strategy Evaluation
22 Aug 2022 The Country Strategy Evaluation for Mexico analysed the performance and results of UNHCR's interventions in the country from 2017 until mid-2021. The evaluation is formative in nature and provides recommendations for strengthening UNHCR's institutional and operational role. Attachments: Evaluation Brief, Management Response and Annexes (.zip)