The world football body, FIFA, says it will donate $1 million to the International Red Cross to help combat the famine in Somalia.

A FIFA statement Thursday says the Red Cross will use the money for life-saving emergency aid and projects designed to boost livelihoods in the worst-off communities.

It says one-third of the money will be used to fund the purchase and transportation of food, equal to standard rations for 150,000 people over a period of one month.

The Somali Football Federation said Thursday it is “very grateful” for FIFA's assistance, and called the football body a great friend of Somalia.