NFL superstars confront drought with visit to East Africa

Former teammates and NFL superstars Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are again teaming up with international relief and development organization Oxfam to raise awareness of the food crisis in East Africa. The Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals wide receivers will travel to Ethiopia with Oxfam for a first-hand account of the drought affecting more than 13 million people in the region.

Boldin and Fitzgerald will embark on a four-day trip across Ethiopia beginning March 27.  The duo will meet with villagers affected by the crisis, local Oxfam partner organizations and internationally known Ethiopian athletes to bring attention to the region.  They will also visit Oxfam programs in the field such as an irrigation project that brings water to much needed areas.

“Four months after Larry and I issued a public service announcement with Oxfam, we are excited to meet face-to-face with those affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia and witness some of the life-saving programs Oxfam is undertaking in the field,” said Boldin.

This is the second time in four months the players, who are widely known for off-the-field contributions to communities in need, have joined Oxfam to fight hunger in East Africa. In November, the Oxfam ambassadors released a thirty second public service announcement to spotlight the growing need for relief funds.

“We are traveling with Oxfam to see first-hand how communities are affected and how we can help,” said Fitzgerald. “By bringing further attention to the drought, we hope to energize our fans and the public to do what they can to assist.”

The United Nations officially recognized the disaster affecting over 13 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in July 2011. Oxfam, in collaboration with local partner organizations, aims to reach over 3 million people affected by the crisis across the region with aid and sustainable development programs.

“We are grateful for the personal engagement of Mr. Boldin and Mr. Fitzgerald,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Continuing to raise public awareness of the food crisis in East Africa remains critical with emergency conditions expected to last well into 2012.  It’s a great opportunity to highlight what local communities are doing for themselves, and how Oxfam, and our supporters, can help.”

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