MESSI AND NEYMAR KICK OFF CAMPAIGN TO HELP REFUGEES: A joint initiative of the Barcelona FC & the UNHCR

Barcelona’s famous footballers, Lionel Messi and Neimar, are leading an important joint initiative of the Spanish Football Club and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees seeking to ensure that millions of refugees have a safe place to live, have access to education and are able to provide for their families.

The Barcelona’s stars have signed a ball to mark the start of the #SignAndPass (#FirmaYPasa) campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the situation of 65.3 million men, women and children around the world who are forced to flee their homes and lives, because of war, violence and persecution.

“I am proud to be part of this important initiative to support refugees” Lionel Messi said. The Argentine footballer, who has scored more than 500 goals for his club, continued saying, “I hope this move will help to change the dramatic situation that millions of refugee children around the world today are facing“.

The “Sign and Pass” campaign gives people from all over the world the opportunity to show their support for  refugees by digitally signing a soccer ball and inviting their friends to  join the cause . With their signature, the supporters add their name to the UNHCR’s appeal  #WithRefugees, which has already collected more than 1.5 million signatures.

“Love for sports brings people together in a unique way. The passion and acceptance of playing and supporting a team can eliminate many differences, ” UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, told officials at the Camp Nou stadium. “I hope this enhanced cooperation with the F.C. Barcelona will pave the way for significantly improving the lives of millions of refugee children and bringing communities closer together“, he added.

In 2018, world leaders are expected to agree on a more equitable way to manage the refugee crisis by signing the “Global Compact for Refugees”.

Watch the video for the #SignAndPass campaign here: