Five million infants and five million mothers in India will receive better access to health, nutrition, water and sanitation service thanks to an $80 million contribution from the IKEA Foundation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The contribution will boost health and education programs in marginalized communities in ten states, the United Nations announced this week.
One grant of €39.5 million (approximately $53.3 million) will help infants and mothers to reduce mortality and malnutrition rates across 13 states. A second grant of €20.7 million ($28 million) will enable children across 10 states to receive quality education and benefit from a Government scheme that provides a safe environment for children living in difficult circumstances.
Founded in 1982, the IKEA Foundation was started by the Swedish home furnishings company of the same name and according to its website it aims to address “the root causes of child labour as well as endeavours with major partners to promote child rights and education.”
The contribution today brings IKEA Foundation’s total investment in UNICEF’s work in India to €158 million ($213 million) and aims at achieving results for children by 2018.
(READ the full story from UN News)