IKEA Foundation Increases Donation to $5.6 million in Aid of Typhoon Haiyan Recovery Efforts

BURLINGTON, ON, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The IKEA Foundation has donated €1 million (CAD $1.4 million) to Doctors Without Borders to aid ongoing recovery efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. The funds are in addition to €2 million (CAD $4.2 million) already provided to UNICEF to deliver critical water and sanitation supplies to help protect the health and safety of thousands of children and families.

Doctors Without Borders will use the donation to provide essential medical care and lifesaving services including clean water, shelter, food and hygiene stations to children and families in remote areas that are difficult to reach.

Current estimates indicate that over five million children could now be affected by the disaster, leaving them vulnerable to waterborne disease, separated from family members and without adequate protection. Children who have escaped the terrible devastation of Typhoon Haiyan need urgent assistance to survive the storm's aftermath.

"We are extremely grateful to the IKEA Foundation for their invaluable contribution, which will be critical in helping the lives of so many children and their families in the affected areas", said Leila Pakkala, UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships.

"Thanks to the generous support of the IKEA Foundation, teams will be able to expand their medical assistance to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the most isolated areas," says Laurent Sauveur, Director of Communications, Doctors Without Borders.

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 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, good 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. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit www.unicef.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Doctors without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, exclusion from healthcare and natural disasters. Founded in Paris, France in 1971, Doctors Without Borders is a non-profit self-governed organisation. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

About IKEA Foundation
The IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children and youth in the world's poorest communities by funding holistic, long-term programmes that can create substantial, lasting change. The Foundation works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child's life: a place to call home; a healthy start in life; a quality education; and sustainable family income. Currently-funded programmes benefit an estimated 100 million children by 2015. Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org and www.facebook/IKEAfoundation

SOURCE: IKEA Canada