UNIS/OUS/RI/001
17 May 2007
Germany-Jordan Car Rally Against Hunger
(Re-issued as received)
VIENNA, 17 May (UN Information Service) -- On 18 May, 120 vintage cars will leave Oberstaufen, Germany, on the start of the 5,000-kilometer Allgaeu-Orient rally to raise awareness against the impact of hunger and poverty.
Organized by Sakhr al Fayez, who heads the non-governmental organization Mount Nebo Society under the National Alliance Against Hunger, German journalist Welferd Gheer, and the United Nations World Food Programme, the cars will pass through 11 countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Syria, and Turkey before arriving at the final destination in Amman, Jordan, on 26 May 2007.
The kick-off will be hosted by the Oberstaufen municipal Government, officials of the Jordanian Government, celebrities from Jordan, companies sponsoring the event and the media.
Using navigational systems and staying off the main highways, half of the cars will travel through Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey from 21-23 May, while the rest will move through Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Turkey. On 24 May, the cars will unite and travel through Syria and on to the finish in Jordan.
As one of the last automobile adventures in the world, the rally, which was launched last year, will raise funds for the needy worldwide. Launched in 2006, last year's event helped to raise nearly US$51,000.
Vehicles will be sold at the end of the Rally and proceeds will support hungry poor in one of the Jordanian National Alliance's activities in Jordan. A reception for the participants will be held on 1 June 2007, under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, at the Athletic City in Amman, Jordan. The winner team of the event will be given a camel.
For more information on the rally, see http://www.fighthunger.org/spotlight/jordan_rally or http://www.allgaeu-orient.de/en/index.php.
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