Germany-Jordan Car Rally Against Hunger kicks off in Oberstaufen

The rally supports joint projects between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Jordanian Alliance Against Hunger (JAAH) raising awareness against hunger and poverty in the world.

The cars pass through 14 countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and Syria before reaching Jordan on 12 May, 2009. All cars will use GPS navigational systems to stay off main highways.

WFP cooperates in organizing the rally with Sakhr al Fayez, who heads the non-governmental organization Mount Nebo Society under the JAAH, and the German journalist Wilfried Gehr.

Jordanian officials, celebrities and companies sponsoring the event will attend the kick-off ceremony Oberstaufen Municipal Government is hosting.

More than 300 drivers from nine countries including Germany, Austria and Jordan are taking part in this year's rally. The rally participants will distribute in low-income communities along the route children clothes, shoes and school items. They are also carrying 200 hearing aids for a Jordanian local society for disabled children.

The drivers will also donate their cars, all not less than twenty years old, at the end of the rally. Cars will be sold in an auction and proceeds will go to the Jordanian Food Bank and joint JAAH and WFP projects. In 2008, cars were sold at the amount of $113,000 (JD80,000).

A reception for the participants will take place on 17 May 2009 in Amman, Jordan under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, head of JAAH. She will present a camel and a plaque to the winning team.

Established in 2004, JAAH supports the Jordanian government's programmes to combat hunger and poverty.