Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said it partnered with charity group Save The Children, donating $1.75 million to support children affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.
Funds from Johnson & Johnson will be used to address immediate needs such as access to food and clean water, shelter, hygiene resources and winter clothing, the company said. The funds will also support long-term recovery of impacted communities, including educational programming, mental health support and community building.
“The distressing images of families caught in the global refugee crisis highlight the importance of our ongoing commitment to Save the Children. We believe the mission of our company to help people everywhere live longer, healthier and happier lives must begin with families in need, so we are proud to partner in this effort,”J&J CEO Alex Gorsky said in a press release.
Approximately 5.6 million children are in need of humanitarian support inside Syria, and an additional 4 million people, mostly women and children, have fled refugee camps to find asylum in Europe, according to the United Nations. Children are at greater risk along refugee routes as they often arrive alone and can be vulnerable to trafficking, abuse and exploitation.
“We are now seeing the greatest wave of refugees migrating across Europe since World War II – many of them young children. With the support of generous partners like Johnson & Johnson, our response teams in Greece, Italy, Serbia and Germany have been able to provide urgently needed supplies and shelter for parents seeking a better life for their families. Johnson & Johnson’s $1.75 million donation will provide for the immediate needs of thousands of children on the run, as well as recovery programs that can help them find hope again,” Save The Children CEO Carolyn Miles said in prepared remarks.
The money comes on top of a $10 million, multi-year commitment to Save The Children’s core mission Johnson & Johnson made last year, the company said.