Save the Children and IKEA Foundation Collaborate on 24-Hour Emergency Response Initiative

WESTPORT, Conn. — In conjunction with this month’s UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, Save the Children and the IKEA Foundation have announced that they have signed a $1.75 million (1.3 million euros) global humanitarian partnership agreement for 24-hour emergency response, focusing on the most vulnerable children affected by a humanitarian crisis.

Through this innovative program, the IKEA Foundation ensures a speedy 24-hour approval of humanitarian response funding to Save the Children at the very onset of an emergency. This enables rapid deployment of humanitarian experts to the field, whereby Save the Children can enhance and strengthen its capacity to respond when disaster strikes and will be able to save lives, alleviate suffering and restore dignity of affected children and their families, at a scope and scale appropriate to the need in emergencies around the world.

“There is always a challenge to find initial and flexible funding at the very onset of an emergency or when a complex humanitarian situation deteriorates,” said Carolyn Miles, Save the Children’s president and CEO. “Save the Children’s humanitarian partnership with the IKEA Foundation will increase capacity to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable children, not least in view of the ongoing crisis in Syria.”

“This innovative funding approach means that Save the Children will be able to act within hours of a natural or manmade disaster, sending a team to ensure children’s rights are protected just when they are most vulnerable after having been exposed to traumatizing events,” explained Per Heggenes, CEO IKEA Foundation.

At the onset of an emergency, the IKEA Foundation guarantees a decision 24 hours after receiving a funding application from Save the Children, whereby Save the Children can immediately allocate the funds to the response.This will enable Save the Children to be fast, flexible and efficient at the very onset of an emergency, whilst simultaneously making the most effective use of the funding donated by the IKEA Foundation.

About the IKEA Foundation

The IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children and youth in the world’s poorest communities by funding holistic, long-term programs 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 programs benefit an estimated 100 million children by 2015. Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org and www.facebook.com/IKEAFoundation

Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world.