From donating over 10 million masks to medical facilities in Japan and abroad, followed by expanding this donation to sports organisations and sports-related groups worldwide, Japanese retailer Uniqlo continues to help communities confront the unprecedented crisis.
The latest initiative sees the brand working to help refugee children and families that are vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus.
In its press statement, Uniqlo said it would be channeling a total of 10 million yen, or USD$100,000 from the sale of baby items via its online store from June 19 to 26 to assist the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in preventing the spread of the virus in refugee camps.
UNHCR reported Covid-19 cases in 134 countries that host refugees. With the refugees living in cramped conditions with poor hygiene, they are at high risk of being infected.
"The donation will assist UNHCR respond to coronavirus with lifesaving support, including clean water, medical care, hygiene items and information to aid refugee families fight the infection and spread of the virus," read its statement.
FIGHTING THE SPREAD
Yukihiro Nitta, group senior vice-president for Sustainability at Fast Retailing, the parent company for Uniqlo said: "Fighting the spread in the developing countries that are home to refugees, the people who are among the most vulnerable in the world, is a huge responsibility for us."
Meanwhile, UNHCR private sector partnership head of service Christian Schaake said everyone should work together to protect and improve the lives of refugee children and their families.
"Everyone can make a difference. Every action counts."
Uniqlo encourages customers to bring any Uniqlo kid's clothing no longer in use to its stores so it can be donated to those in need.
Over the years, Fast Retailing has implemented various efforts to support and raise awareness on refugees. Among them are employing refugees at Uniqlo stores in countries like Japan, United States, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Besides that, the brand also supports UNHCR livelihood programmes, and send Fast Retailing employee volunteers to countries receiving UNHCR support.