IKEA Foundation donates 3 million euro to UNICEF relief work for quake-hit Nepal

NEW DELHI: The IKEA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Swedish home furnishings company IKEA, has contributed 3 million euro to UNICEF to support emergency relief efforts in earthquake ravaged Nepal.

The funds from the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF's largest private sector partner, will be critical in supporting organisation's relief efforts at this stage, to protect the health and ensure the safety of children and families affected by the disaster, the foundation said in a statement.

IKEA Foundation CEO Per Heggenes said: "With this commitment, we also encourage the entire private sector to join us and contribute significant financial resources, supporting the response that is urgently required in Nepal. At this devastating time, children are particularly vulnerable and it is they who suffer the most."

Over 6,200 people have been killed and nearly 14,000 injured in the quake that hit the Himalayan nation last week.

"Current estimates indicate that over 1.7 million children have been affected by the earthquake in the worst-hit area of Nepal," it added.

IKEA Foundation's contribution will be critical to helping UNICEF's emergency relief efforts in the difficult days ahead.