Last Updated: 2008.08.29
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Assisting refugees through our clothes
One of the principles in our FR WAY mission statement is to act as global citizens embracing high ethical standards. Driven by this earnest desire and with the cooperation of the UNHCR, in 2006 we began providing assistance through our clothes to refugees, now a worldwide social issue. We can only help a tiny amount each time, but it is definitely one firm step in the right direction.
Support in 2008
Aid for refugee camps
Twice a year we conduct a recycling campaign covering our entire UNIQLO product range. UNIQLO clothing brought into stores by our customers is donated to refugee camps around the world through the kind cooperation of the UNHCR office in Japan.
In the future, we want to expand our support activities for refugees beyond the provision of clothing to include technical employment-oriented training for refugees to help promote self-reliance on the ground.
June 2008
105,000 items of clothing donated to refugee camps in Eritrea- 45,000 items of clothing donated to refugee camps in Somalia
Click here for photo report
Activities to educate and inform
August 2008
- Photo exhibition of aid distributed to refugee camps was held at our UT STORE HARAJUKU
Support to date
November 2007
- In Uganda: 140,000 items of clothing donated to refugee camps
- In Tanzania: 80,000 items of clothing donated to refugee camps
- Click here for photo report
February 2007
- In Thai: 70,000 items of clothing donated to refugee camps
- In Nepal: 60,000 items of clothing donated to refugee camps
- Click here for photo report
More about UNHCR and Japan Relief Clothing Center
The role of clothes
Clothes are not simply things that you wear. Indeed they perform a variety of roles. We sincerely hope that our clothing donations can in some small way enable refugees in the camps to experience the joy, happiness and satisfaction of clothes.
The role of clothes
| Safety & hygiene | To help prevent scrapes and cuts and the spread of infections. |
|---|---|
| Protection against cold and heat | To protect the body from heat and cold. |
| A chance for education | Provide motivation for children with no clothes to wear to go to school. |
| Dignity | Clothing is an expression of human dignity and a means of self-expression. |
| Participation of women in society | Provides the opportunity to participate positively in community activities within the refugee camps. |
| Independence | Participating in community activities is the first step towards self-reliance. |
| Reduced burden on environment | Protecting the environment by reusing and recycling clothing no longer worn. |
| Pleasant living | To provide an element of comfort to people in the refugee camps living in a strange land away from home. |
