As in previous years, UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane are mobilizing their friends to take on the Hamburger Sport-Verein tonight at the Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Most of the proceeds of this year's friendly match will go towards addressing the ongoing food crisis in the Horn of Africa, where more than 13 million people have been left in need by famine, drought, conflict and high food prices.

“Through the 2011 edition in Hamburg we hope we will be able to raise both awareness and funds for the people in need in the Horn of Africa,” said Zinédine Zidane, current Director of Sport of the Real Madrid football club. “And, while I obviously hope to win, the Match Against Poverty is much more than a game: it is part of the global fight against poverty.”

Two thirds of the match proceeds will be used to bolster humanitarian and recovery activities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The UN is working in these countries to provide emergency food aid, water, shelter and health services, while working on longer term development plans. Proceeds from the previous eight Matches Against Poverty have benefited projects in more than 27 developing countries, including recent recovery efforts in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods, UN RIC reported.