FIFA to donate $1 million in aid to Somalia

FIFA says it will donate $1 million (€700,000) toward humanitarian aid work in Somalia by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

FIFA says the money will fund programs helping people affected by drought and conflict in the country. It says one-third of the donation will buy food for "25,000 families or 150,000 people over a period of one month."

FIFA has recently supported disaster relief work in Japan, Haiti, Pakistan and Chile.

Somalia's football federation showed its close links to FIFA by nominating Sepp Blatter to stand for re-election as president this year.

Somalia begins its 2014 World Cup qualification program with a home-and-away tie against Ethiopia in November.