As a part of the big humanitarian Easter action company IKEA Serbia donated more than 200 children cots for two Kraljevo’s kindergarten that were damaged in the earthquake late last year. Also, gifts in the form of necessary furniture from IKEA received 36 households affected by the consequences of the earthquake.

With this donation worth 40,000 Euros, company IKEA Serbia wanted to contribute to faster and more efficient removal of Earthquake devastation and contribute to enhancement of conditions for children development and to improve quality of life of families depending on social care.

Dragan Skalušević, regional director of company IKEA, said:

“IKEA seeks through their activities to contribute to creating a better everyday life for the many people, and pays great attention to social initiatives that improve the rights and living conditions of children and vulnerable groups throughout the world. In a situation where the earthquake damaged the kindergarten, “Pčelica” and thus directly affects the quality of life of children in Kraljevo, we wanted to contribute to improving the conditions for children from this kindergarten and the newly opened one in Mataruska banja.

On the other hand, the difficult economic situation in Kraljevo was only further aggravated by the earthquake, so we hope that the furniture from our Easter donation will make life easier for families affected by the consequences. Also, IKEA business policy emphasize the contribution to the development of local suppliers, so that all products donated in this humanitarian action were produced in the factory “Simpo“ Vranje. “

Donation of IKEA furniture was carried out in collaboration with the UNICEF Office in Serbia and with the support of local authorities, the Office of the Mayor and his team of Social Affairs, the Social Service and the Red Cross in Kraljevo, who analyzed the needs arising after the earthquake, and very effectively implemented cooperation with company IKEA.

"I thank, on behalf of the citizens of Kraljevo, on this great donation from company IKEA, which recognized the needs of endangered residents of Kraljevo. Appreciate your effort to make our youngest citizens forget the difficult times following the earthquake as soon as possible and continue their carefree childhood. Your solidarity and high degree of social responsibility are incentives to other companies and individuals to help people in need, "said Mayor of the City of Kraljevo, Ljubiša Simović.

This is not the first similar activity of the company IKEA Serbia. So far, IKEA has already been actively involved in various initiatives of local communities in Serbia.Thus, in 2010.

IKEA Serbia has invested 20,000 Euros in the full furnishing of 12 apartments in the “Parental home”, in Institute for Mother and Child. Also, this year for the first time,thanks to global donating campaign ''Soft Toys'' IKEA will be supporting a program of UNICEF in Serbia.