Photo by Google Maps

IKEA in Iceland has pledged to donate 100,000 ISK to each refugee in the first group coming to the country next month.

“We want to take part in creating for refugees an opportunity to integrate into society,” Þórarinn Ævarsson, the CEO of IKEA in Iceland, told Vísir. “It doesn’t matter if they’re children or adults. Everyone will get a deposit from us.”

IKEA has already taken an active part in refugee matters in Iceland, amongst other ways by donating furniture and household items to the Red Cross for the express purpose of helping refugees.

“Our goal is twofold,” Þórarinn explained. “To help people integrate into society, and to make their first days and weeks in Iceland a little easier.” He added that the company has over 100 employees of foreign origin, whom IKEA has also assisted in ways such as offering free Icelandic classes during working hours.

The first group of refugees, 55 in all, were expected to arrive just before Christmas. However, complications arising in collecting the necessary data have delayed their arrival until mid-January.