25 February: IKEA becomes the Largest Corporate Donor to UNICEFNEW YORK, 23 February 2009 United Nations Children fund (UNICEF) HQ in NY announced that IKEA company, through its corporate philanthropy arm, IKEA Social Initiative, is further expanding its support for children with a $48 million donation for UNICEF programmes in India. “The IKEA Social Initiative makes a serious corporate commitment toward improving the living conditions in countries where it is working,” said Saad Houry, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director. “IKEA’s investment in children’s wellbeing, despite the downturn in the global economy, sets a high standard for corporate partnership.” The partnership between UNICEF and IKEA Social Initiative has bloomed over the past decade into a multi-faceted long term association that is delivering tangible benefits in health, education and protection for millions of children and women not only in India, but also elsewhere in Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe. IKEA in Russia has contributed close to $1,5 million since 2005 when it started implementing joint projects with UNICEF in this country. “For IKEA children are the most important people in the world, so we are very happy to see that money gathered with the help of our Russian customers can be used to support Russian children in need”, said Oksana Belaychook, Head of PR and Internal Communication IKEA Russia & CIS. Cooperation between IKEA and UNICEF in Russia allowed to support over 2000 vulnerable children (orphans and disabled children) aged 3-17 years old living in Moscow and Moscow and Vladimir regions. Close to $500,000 has been invested in the project to reduce the social isolation of disabled children and help build an environment where they may more easily enjoy a full social and intellectual life both in their families and mainstream schools. Preventive health for children and campaigns aimed to increase customer awareness of child rights are new projects for further expansion of the partnership.. The announcement was made on the occasion of International Corporate Philanthropy day, celebrated at the ECOSOC Chambers at the United Nations in New York. Read more about IKEA’s work at www.unicef.ru and www.unicef.org *** UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. About IKEA Social Initiative IKEA Social Initiative manages social involvements on a global level. The mission of IKEA Social Initiative is to improve the rights and life opportunities of the many children - fighting for children's rights to a healthy and secure childhood with access to quality education. UNICEF and Save the Children are the main partners, with a range of projects take a holistic approach for creating a substantial and lasting change: improving the health of mothers and children, enabling access to a quality education for children, and empowering women to create a better future for themselves and their communities. For further information and to arrange interviews please contact: Anna Kochineva, UNICEF Communication Officer Oksana Belaychook, Head of PR & Internal Communications, IKEA Russia & CIS Tel. +7 (495) 737-53-04, Cell.+7 (985) 411-14-98, E-mail: pr@ikea.ru
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