Sales of IKEA light bulbs to provide a brighter life for refugees
The funds raised will provide solar-powered street lights, indoor solar lanterns, and other renewable energy technologies such as fuel-efficient cooking stoves.
GENEVA, February 3 (UNHCR) - The IKEA Foundation on Monday launched a two-month campaign to raise funds to provide solar-powered lighting and other renewable energy technologies in UNHCR-run refugee camps through the sale of light bulbs in IKEA stores around the world.
For every one of the company's LEDARE brand LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs sold from today until March 29, the IKEA Foundation will donate Є1 to the UN refugee agency. The funds raised through the "Brighter Lives for Refugees" campaign will help to provide solar-powered street lights, indoor solar lanterns, and other renewable energy technologies such as fuel-efficient cooking stoves in camps in countries such as Bangladesh, Chad, Ethiopia and Jordan.
Today, there are nearly 10.5 million refugees globally, around half of which are children. Some refugees have no choice but to live in refugee camps, where an absence or lack of light after sunset can have a devastating effect on safety and security. Simple activities such as going to the toilet, collecting water or returning to the shelter can become difficult and dangerous, particularly for women and girls.
The improvements funded by the campaign will make each refugee camp a safer and more suitable home for refugee children and their families. In addition, the campaign will also fund improved primary education.
"In 2013, over 2 million people became refugees - a near 20-year record. With each new humanitarian emergency, the support of the private sector becomes more vital and more urgent. This campaign represents a new, unique chapter in our relationship with the IKEA Foundation, UNHCR's largest private sector partner. Together, we hope to be able to transform the lives of many refugees," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.
IKEA Foundation Chief Executive Officer Per Heggenes, noting that life in a refugee camp can be very hard, particularly for children, said: "The absence of powered light limits everyday activities we take for granted, such as sharing a meal or doing your homework. It impacts safety and security and the ability for families to generate an income."
He added that the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign "will help bring lights and renewable energy into the streets and homes of refugees camps, so UNHCR can help build a better everyday life for refugee children and families."
The IKEA Foundation and UNHCR believe that every child deserves a safe place to call home. Since 2010, the IKEA Foundation has partnered with UNHCR, helping to provide shelter, care and education to families and children within refugee camps and surrounding communities. The Foundation has to date committed €73 million in support to the refugee agency.
Related news and stories
UNHCR private-sector partners win big at this year's FT/IFC awards
UNHCR launches sustainable energy strategy, strengthens climate action
Jordan's Azraq becomes world's first clean energy refugee camp
Azraq, the world's first refugee camp powered by renewable energy
This IKEA store in Madrid is like no other
Brighter Lives For Refugees: Thank You For Supporting
Your search for « ikea » matched 446 results. Displaying page 9 of 50 pages.
-
More businesses commit to helping refugees thrive with new jobs, trainings, investment
26 Sep 2018 ... this week big companies like Microsoft, IKEA, H&M, Sodexo and Hilton publicly announced ... people just like you and me,” said the CEO of IKEA Foundation, Per Heggenes, at the Concordia ...... -
Private sector steps up for refugees as Global Refugee Forum opens in Geneva
16 Dec 2019 ... And companies stand ready to do more.” At 5 p.m. CET today, Ingka Group, Inter IKEA Group and IKEA Foundation, the Vodafone Foundation and the LEGO Foundation will announce their significant ...... -
Decentralised Evaluations Workplan 2021
27 Apr 2021 ... and Solutions Q3/2021 Evaluation of the Ikea Misizi Marshland Agricultural Project in Rwanda ... UNHCR MENA Bureau Q4/ 2021 Evaluation of the Ikea Foundation Livelihoods and Energy Projects ...... -
Decentralized Workplan 2021/22 Mid-year Update
28 Jan 2021 ... of Resilience and Solutions Q3/2021 Q3/2021 Ikea Foundation Livelihoods and Energy Projects ... Ikea Misizi Marshland Agricultural Project in Rwanda UNHCR Country Office Rwanda Q3/2021 Q1/2022 ...... -
Innovative investment transforms lives in Ethiopia
27 Sep 2018 ... A new approach by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the IKEA Foundation, and Ethiopian authorities is ... The project supported by UNHCR and the IKEA Foundation, is keeping many youngsters in schools and is ...... -
Side Event - With Refugees: Inclusive Implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees - Global refugee forum
25 Jul 2019 ... ... Ms. Annemieke Tsike-Sossah, Refugee Liaison, Ikea Foundation The panelist noted that the IKEA project in Ethiopia is now in its 8 th year. Initially, this project started with an investment on social ...... -
Statement from Norway (HLD on Energy and Infrastructure Norway)
18 Dec 2019 ... FAO, UNITAR, WFP, GPA Coordination Unit, ACT Alliance, Clean Cooking Alliance, Globesight, Ikea Foundation, NRC, Mercy Corps, Millennium Water Alliance, OXFAM International, Practical Action, ...... -
Decentralized Workplan 22/23
13 Apr 2022 ... Regional Bureau for East and Horn of Africa & Great Lakes Ikea Livelihoods Misizi Marshland Agricultural Project in Rwanda Rwanda & IKEA Foundation Q1/2021 Q2/2022 Climate–smart agriculture and ...... -
Bi-annual fact sheet 2023 02 Slovenia
Feb 2023 ... IKEA AND UNHCR PARTNERSHIP IN SLOVENIA In cooperation with IKEA, UNHCR and partner organization Slovene Philanthropy were collecting donations (school supply, kitchen and homeware items) to refugees ......