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Japan's Uniqlo clothing helps the Refugees in Kazakhstan to be prepared for the winter

At the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day, Representation of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Republic of Kazakhstan  (UNHCR) and Unique Clothing Warehouse (UNIQLO), Japan have distributed more than 5,000 items of clothing to more than 100 refugees. The recycled clothes had been deposited by customers at more than 800 outlets in Japan.  

"This donation could not have been better timed. First of all, it coincides with the World Humanitarian Day, and end of summer season. UNHCR is cooperating with UNIQLO from 2006 and I think this initiative is a good sign and tradition of helping the most needy people. I believe that by providing these clothes we are making a difference in the lives of refugees, particularly taking into account the coming winter. We are grateful to UNIQLO and people of Japan", said Saber Azam, UNHCR Regional Representative/Regional Coordinator for Central Asia.

Mr. Nitta Yukihiro, UNIQLO Director for Corporate Social Responsibility who joined Mr. Azam at the distribution also noted, " We are delighted to be able to distribute our clothing to refugees in Kazakhstan. We believe that these basic and functional clothes, which are received from our customers in Japan, will be useful for protecting people from cold. This time we donated clothes for refugees in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, and we will visit Kyrgyzstan for clothing donation later in the year.  We hope that people will overcome their difficulties as soon as possible and we would like to continue this initiative around the world".

The refugees were given coats, warm pulovers, and other items necessary for the winter time. "We were afraid that we will face with cold weather of the region this winter. But now we have warm clothing for children, which will help us to overcome the winter" - said Mr. Umirzakhanov[1], who with his two daughters received clothes.

World Humanitarian Day

The World Humanitarian Day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations staff on 11th December 2008 to honour all humanitarians, the United Nations and associated personnel who have lost their lives in the cause of duty as well as those who worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause. More information can be found at: http://ochaonline.un.org/whd/

UNIQLO Initiative

UNIQLO is a Japanese leading retail and manufacturing brand. 100 million customers purchase UNIQLO clothing per year.  It's Recycling Initiative began in 2001 with the Fleece Recycling Program, which was expanded to include all collected UNIQLO items beginning in 2006 as All Products Recycling Initiative. Through this initiative, they recycle products received from customers with the objective of ensuring the products serve beneficial purposes across their lifecycle with nothing wasted. With the cooperation UNHCR the company started donating the clothes to refugee camps. More information can be found at (http://www.uniqlo.com/jp/csr/recycle/special/archive.html)


[1] The name of a refugee was changed due to security reasons


18.08.2010
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