Dublin, Tuesday, 17th July, 2018: Today UNICEF and Primark announced a new three-year partnership to contribute to UNICEF’s work in both education and emergency response, improving the lives of vulnerable children.
Primark has committed US$ 4.5 million to fund an education programme to enable vulnerable children attend and stay in school in Cambodia. Planned activities include targeted support for children from minority language groups, children with disabilities and girls, investment in school sanitation facilities, and training for teachers in positive discipline approaches.
In addition, Primark has committed US$ 1.5 million towards UNICEF’s worldwide emergency response operations. In 2017, UNICEF responded to 337 humanitarian situations in 102 countries. In most humanitarian crises, children are most at risk, with women and children comprising 60 – 80 per cent of the affected population.
UNICEF Ireland’s Executive Director, Peter Power welcomed the announcement. “UNICEF is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation for children with operations in over 190 countries. UNICEF relies significantly on the private sector to help fund our life-saving and life-changing operations for children and we are pleased to welcome Primark’s generous contribution to this work.”
Primark’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Marchant said, “We are proud to launch this partnership with UNICEF today. As an international brand we are excited to be collaborating with a global organisation which shares our commitment to making a difference in communities that most need support.”
“We recognise the importance of education in enabling every child to fulfil their potential, and we are pleased to be able to support UNICEF as they work to break down some of the barriers to education for children in Cambodia.”
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Notes for Editors
Image available to download here.
Caption: Pictured are children from Thnout Khpous Primary School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia who are involved in the Primark funded education programme to enable vulnerable children attend and stay in school.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.
Learn about the Every Child ALIVE campaign, here.
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UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.
About PRIMARK
Primark operates over 355 stores in eleven countries: Republic of Ireland, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France, the US and Italy; and has over 75,000 employees. Primark offers high quality fashion at value for money prices, put simply, “Amazing Fashion, Amazing Prices.”
At UNICEF please contact:
Danny Smits – danny@unicef.ie, UNICEF Ireland
Jacquetta Hayes – jhayes@unicef.org, UNICEF Geneva
At Primark please contact:
Cara Twohig – ctwohig@primark.ie, Primark Headquarters, Dublin
