New York, NY - The IKEA Foundation has donated more than $2.6 million* (Є 2 million) to UNICEF to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck the Philippines on November 8.

Current estimates indicate that four million children could now be affected by the disaster.

Funds from the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s largest corporate partner, will help UNICEF reach children and families as quickly as possible with critical water and sanitation supplies to help protect their health and safety following the disaster.

Alongside other supplies, the donation from the IKEA Foundation will be used for the provision of generators and water treatment plants to ensure access to safe drinking water for children and families in affected areas and the distribution of water and hygiene kits to help avoid the risk of disease outbreak.

Children who have escaped the terrible devastation of Haiyan need urgent assistance to survive the aftermath of the storm. The impact of the typhoon on water supply and sanitation systems has raised particular concerns around the health of the affected population.

“We are extremely grateful to the IKEA Foundation for their invaluable contribution, which will be critical in helping the lives of so many children and their families in the affected areas”, said Leila Pakkala, UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships.

UNICEF is rushing emergency supplies to the Philippines for rapid distribution to areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan. The IKEA Foundation’s contribution will be critical to helping UNICEF scale up its emergency response in the difficult days ahead.

How to help: For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to UNICEF’s relief efforts, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:

Website: http://www.unicefusa.org/philippines

Toll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDS

Text: RELIEF to 864233 (UNICEF) to donate $10

Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038

As with any emergency, in the event that donations exceed anticipated needs, the U.S. Fund will redirect any excess funds to children in greatest need.

Find us on Twitter: @unicefusa, #Haiyan; join us on Facebook: UNICEF-USA

For b-roll and photos, please visit: http://weshare.unicef.org/mediaresources

About 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 http://www.ikeafoundation.org and http://www.facebook/IKEAfoundation.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

*€1 equals approximately $1.34 US

Source: IKEA Foundation