Last Updated: 2014.11.25
Fast Retailing Donates to Help Ebola-Affected Children
FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.
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Fast Retailing, responding to UNICEF's urgent worldwide plea, is donating JPY 10 million to support children in West Africa affected by the Ebola virus.
Fast Retailing has established a worldwide partnership with UNICEF. And UNICEF estimates that more than 2.5 million under the age of five live in Ebola-affected areas of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, where the disease is most serious. Of these, at least 3,700 children have lost one or both of their parents to Ebola (as of November 9). This JPY 10 million donation is to help prevent the further spread of the disease, treat infected children, and provide protection and mental health care for orphans.
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd Group Senior Vice President, Yukihiro Nitta said, "Globalization means we are all fundamentally connected. As a responsible global player, we are providing emergency aid from our Clothes for Smiles program, established to deliver hopes and dreams to the children who shape our future. It is our sincere hope that this helps children in Ebola-affected areas of West Africa."
Japan Committee for UNICEF Executive Director Ken Hayami said, "UNICEF has provided around 3,000 tonnes of material aid since the initial outbreak of Ebola, including medicines, tents, safe water, and sanitary goods, and continues in its concerted effort to help. However, the disease has been virulent, and there is a severe shortage of material and personnel.
"The support from Fast Retailing and the Clothes for Smiles project is extremely valuable, and helps UNICEF tremendously in its desperate fight against Ebola. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation.
"Infectious disease easily crosses borders. Ebola is a threat to us all. I would like to ask everyone for support to stop its spread as soon as possible."
The donation is an aspect of Fast Retailing's Clothes for Smiles project, which it launched with professional tennis player and UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Novak Djokovic in 2012. The initiative aims to deliver hopes and dreams to children around the world. As part of the project, Fast Retailing established a JPY 1.0 billion fund using a portion of sales from HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down from the 2012 Fall, Winter season. Of this, JPY 500 million is allocated for UNICEF projects to improve the educational environment for children, and the JPY 10 million donation for emergency aid to respond to the Ebola outbreak comes from this amount. The donation is through the Japan Committee for UNICEF, which coordinates UNICEF projects and supports the Clothes for Smiles program.
