IKEA commits €1 million and goods in-kind to support UNICEF’s work for families fleeing Ukraine
19 May 2022
GENEVA/STOCKHOLM, 19 May 2022 – Inter IKEA Group is donating €1 million as well as furniture and toys to support UNICEF’s emergency relief efforts for children and families affected by the war in Ukraine.
After more than two months of war, nearly two-thirds of Ukrainian children are now displaced in Ukraine or living as refugees in host countries. Children fleeing the war are at significant risk of family separation, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Together with UNHCR, UNICEF has set up safe spaces known as Blue Dots along main refugee routes that provide critical support and protection services to children and families, including psychosocial support and the identification of unaccompanied children.
The Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest retailer, was a natural partner to help scale up the Blue Dots, providing in-kind donations of products such as beds, mattresses, other furniture and toys for the Blue Dots and other safe spaces, along with design expertise and support for logistics, infrastructure and delivery. The IKEA support to UNICEF forms part of a larger donation by different IKEA-related entities.
“Children who have become refugees desperately need safety, stability and child protection services, especially those who are unaccompanied or have been separated from their families. We thank IKEA for their commitment and support to provide children with relief and respite during this difficult time,” said Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director of Partnerships.
“We have a long-standing commitment to supporting children’s rights and are devastated by the impact on children fleeing the war. By using IKEA home furnishing knowledge and products, we are able to support UNICEF and partners to provide safe and welcoming places for children and families to rest, play and get access to services they so desperately need right now,” said Julia Olofsson, Human & Children’s Right Leader, Ingka Group.
“The war in Ukraine is a human tragedy. To support emergency relief efforts for both immediate and long-term needs, many stakeholders and organizations need to work together,” said Malin Pettersson-Beckeman, Head of Sustainability Engagement & Communication, Inter IKEA Group. “The 1 million euro donation will go towards helping UNICEF provide children and families with critical access to basic services including clean water, hygiene supplies, health care, access to education and recreational activities, and emergency cash assistance.”
UNICEF and IKEA entities have partnered and collaborated for over 20 years to help advance children’s rights worldwide. IKEA has previously supported UNICEF’s water and sanitation, nutrition and education programmes as well as UNICEF’s work in emergencies.
For more information please contact:
Laila Ali, UNICEF Geneva, Tel: +41767846532, laali@unicef.org
About IKEA
IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA Brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.
About Inter IKEA Group
Inter IKEA Group includes Inter IKEA Systems B.V., IKEA of Sweden AB, IKEA Supply AG, IKEA Industry AB and related businesses. Inter IKEA Holding B.V. is the holding company for the Inter IKEA Group.
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations on 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents about 90% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
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