Belgrade, 16.04.2020. – Wishing to help those most vulnerable during the coronavirus epidemic in Serbia, IKEA, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has donated 250 beds and as many mattresses and bed linen sets, which have been delivered to the Gerontology Centre in Belgrade.

“From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we at IKEA Serbia have been doing our best to help those who are particularly affected by the current situation – especially our eldest fellow citizens. We hope that this donation will facilitate their life at least a little bit at the time of the epidemic, when they are most in need of support and protection”, said Strahinja Urošević, the manager of the IKEA department store in Belgrade, adding that IKEA furniture has been delivered to and is in use at the Bežanijska kosa old people’s home, accommodating around 600 users, which makes it the largest one of its kind in this country and one of the biggest in Europe.

“We are glad to have been in a position to help the IKEA company make sure that their donation will be used where it is needed most”, Francine Pickup, the UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia pointed out, adding that, based on consultations with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, it was estimated that the Gerontology Centre needed new furniture most.

“The partnership between the UNDP and the IKEA company represents a continuation of their successful previous cooperation on promoting circular economy and circular design, and also a reflection of our joint efforts to ensure a sustainable development of society and that no one should be forgotten”, added Pickup.