World’s leading toy company supports children for disaster preparedness

Source(s): Save the Children International

Mattel and Mattel Children’s Foundation Commit $500,000 to Save the Children’s Proactive Disaster Preparedness and Responses to Crises

World’s Leading Toy Company Steps up to Support Children in Emergencies Initiative

Mattel, Inc., whose toys bring happiness to children worldwide, and Save the Children, which is committed to those same children’s survival and well-being when crises loom, have expanded an ongoing partnership so that the agency can better serve girls and boys at risk of or affected by emergencies.

Mattel and the Mattel Children’s Foundation have long supported Save the Children’s relief and recovery work after many major disasters and long-term agency programs in health, education and early childhood development, the company is now also committed to supporting Save the Children’s new children in emergencies initiative.

Mattel and the Mattel Children’s Foundation have pledged $500,000 over five years. The funds will help Save the Children prepare vulnerable childen and communities for a crisis, enable us to pre-position relief supplies, train our staff and harness technology so that we can move faster when children’s lives and futures are threatened. Save the Children will also tap the funds for immediate emergency relief when children are at their most vulnerable. Mattel’s support will enable Save the Children to reach children and communities in the U.S. and internationally.

The pledge represents a strategic focus and groundbreaking shift for Mattel and the Mattel Children’s Foundation toward corporate support of proactive preparedness planning with first responder organizations like Save the Children for immediate disaster relief globally when children’s urgent needs arise.

“We are particularly gratified to support the worthwhile efforts of those who immediately step in when disasters strike. The aftermath of displacement, stress and loss that happen in disaster situations can be particularly difficult for children,” said Deidre Lind, executive director of Mattel’s charitable programs. “Sometimes just having a safe place to play or a toy to play with can make all the difference for a child who is experiencing a very difficult and uncertain circumstance.”

“Children are always the most vulnerable in a crisis situation,” said Charlie MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children. “When disaster strikes around the world, our response teams are there to ensure children are safe and secure, and that their immediate needs are met. With the support of partners like Mattel and the Mattel Children’s Foundation, we can expand our disaster preparedness programs in high-risk areas so that emergency supplies and relief teams are positioned for a rapid response to the specific needs of children and families.”

Preparedness activities may include disaster risk reduction programs in emergency-prone communities to help build local coping and preparedness skills, pre-positioning lifesaving relief supplies and training Save the Children country staff. When crisis impact children in places where we work or affect significant numbers of children, we will use Mattel’s funds to send relief experts to the scene and begin addressing children’s priority needs.
Reaching Children and Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction

Through disaster risk reduction, Save the Children reduces children’s and families’ vulnerability to emergencies and increases their preparedness for unforeseen events. Save the Children involves children themselves in activities in their schools and communities so that they can share what they learn with others. We have prioritized 20 emergency-prone priority countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America for disaster risk reduction activities.

In the U.S., Save the Children works with communities in high-risk areas to assess strengths and address gaps in planning for children’s needs. Our work includes emergency preparedness workshops for children (grades K-6) and guidance for emergency planners, shelter managers and child care providers. These efforts ensure there are informed advocates for children during an emergency and once recovery efforts begin.
Pre-positioned Supplies: Ready When Needed

Pre-positioning supplies allows for an immediate response with things children and families urgently need. In places where disasters are common, our stockpiles of shelter supplies, blankets, hygiene and household items, and education and Child-Friendly Spaces kits can be quickly moved and distributed. Pre-positioning is also essential because disasters can destroy local markets, or create such a high demand for goods that they are extremely expensive if even available.
Disaster Responses: Saving Lives and Helping Children Rebound

Save the Children sends experts to disaster zones at the outset to assess children’s needs and start responses. Timing is crucial, as the first hours are when children are most in need and before other public and private support has been galvanized.
How You Can Help

Every day, millions of children face grave threats brought about by disasters and conflicts. With documented increases in the number and severity of disaster occurring annually, and many conflict “hot spots,” the need for disaster relief is growing, not diminishing. Save the Children responds to an average of 40 emergencies yearly, spending some $250 million for humanitarian work.

Save the Children and Mattel encourage companies, foundations and individuals to support our children in emergencies initiative through annual giving in order to expand emergency preparedness programs and deploy the relief and recovery activities that have a profound impact on children’s survival and future. Your support helps to ensure that Save the Children can provide relief to children without delay, continuously increase our preparedness for future emergencies and work with communities to mitigate the impact of disasters yet to come. For additional information, please contact corporate@savechildren.org.
About Mattel

Mattel has a long and rich history of actively supporting communities around the world with a global commitment to serve children and families in need. Mattel is making a meaningful difference in the lives of children through a variety of philanthropic programs, from grant making and partnerships with organizations that directly serve children to toy donations and employee volunteerism.

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT - News) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fourth year in a row. Mattel also is ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s "100 Best Corporate Citizens" and the "World's Most Ethical Companies." With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 31,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel donates more than 2 percent of its pre-tax profit toward philanthropic activities. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play." Follow Mattel on Facebook
About the Mattel Children’s Foundation

The Mattel Children's Foundation was established in 1978. With a vision of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the Foundation provides cash grants through domestic and international grantmaking programs, as well as international scholarships to children of employees, matching gifts and volunteer grants for Mattel employees. The Foundation also continues its tradition of partnering with exemplary nonprofit partners. The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.
About Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and 120 countries around the world. For more than 75 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by improving their health, education and economic opportunities and, in times of acute crisis, mobilizing rapid life-saving assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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