STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — In addition to the human tragedy that follows in the wake of South Asia’s worst flooding in years, Save the Children warns that children´s education and long-term well-being is also put at risk. H&M foundation donates important support to Save the Children´s work in India and Bangladesh where 1.3 million children are currently out of school.
Due to the severe situation, the H&M Foundation has decided to donate $200,000 to Save the Children’s humanitarian relief work. Aside from helping provide basic necessities like food, clean drinking water and shelter, the donation will have a special focus on education. Hundreds of thousands of children could fall permanently out of the school system if education isn’t prioritized in the relief efforts,” says Diana Amini, Global Manager H&M Foundation.
The floods have had a huge impact on education institutions right across the region with more than 12,000 schools damaged or destroyed in India and 4,000 in Bangladesh. In some areas schools have been suspended for several weeks. However, there are teaching staff available, learning materials and attendance is low because students are trying to survive the floods with their families.
“Education is a critical factor in this kind of emergency response. Lost education jeopardizes the safety of children and can increase the risk of child labor and trafficking.”
Elisabeth Dahlin, CEO Save the Children Sweden
Save the Children is helping support education in India and Bangladesh. The aid agency has set up temporary learning spaces so classes can resume immediately, distributed back to school kits with basic learning materials and is providing psychosocial support to students affected by the floods.
Aside from education, Save the Children is also distributing tarpaulins for temporary shelter, running special playgroups for children to help them recover and distributing relief items including hygiene kits, food packages, clean drinking water, kitchen kits and cash for basic necessities.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Diana Amini, Global Manager, H&M Foundation
diana.amini@hmfoundation.com
+46 (0)729 804 802
hmfoundation.com
Anders Maxson, Media Manager, Save the Children Sweden
anders.maxson@rb.se
+46 (0)8 698 67 55
savethechildren.net
ABOUT H&M FOUNDATION
The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of H&M. Its mission is to drive long lasting positive change and improve living conditions by investing in people, communities and innovative ideas. Through partnerships with organizations around the globe, the H&M Foundation drives change within four focus areas; Education, Water, Equality and Planet. In addition to this, the Foundation can also provide emergency relief. Since 2013, the Stefan Persson family has donated 1.1 billion Swedish kronor (USD 154 million/EUR 123 million) to the Foundation. For more information, visit hmfoundation.com.
ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Learn more by visiting: savethechildren.net
SOURCE: H&M