PARIS — Uniqlo will donate 1 million euros and 50,000 garments to support communities affected by the wildfires sweeping France‘s Gironde and Var regions in one of the country’s most severe fire seasons in years amid the climate crisis.
The Japanese apparel retailer said the financial contribution will be shared between Secours Populaire Français, which is providing emergency assistance to displaced residents, and Sud-Ouest Solidarité, which is supporting firefighters by purchasing new equipment, including remotely operated firefighting robots, reconnaissance drones and medical response vehicles.
Uniqlo will also distribute 50,000 garments to people affected by the fires.
The company will launch an in-store fundraising campaign across all Uniqlo locations in France, with proceeds benefiting the French Red Cross. Customer donations will be matched by Uniqlo and directed toward firefighting operations and the most urgent humanitarian needs in the affected areas.
“The images and stories coming from the Bordeaux region and the Var are deeply heartbreaking,” said Uniqlo France chief executive officer Yuki Yamada. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these devastating wildfires, as well as the firefighters, volunteers, and local organizations working tirelessly day and night to protect people and communities.”
The announcement comes as wildfires have forced thousands of residents to evacuate, destroyed vast areas of forest and placed significant pressure on emergency services in the south of the country.
Yamada said the company’s financial donation, clothing contribution and nationwide fundraising campaign were intended to provide “both immediate and long-term support” to affected communities and those responding to the crisis.
The retailer said the donation continues its long-standing work in disaster response, under which the group has provided financial assistance, clothing donations, and long-term support to communities affected by incidents around the globe. Uniqlo remains in contact with local organizations to identify priority needs and assess whether additional support will be required in the coming weeks.
The effort follows Uniqlo’s wider humanitarian initiatives. The retailer committed 100,000 euros to the Displacement Film Fund, announced at the Cannes Film Festival last year, as part of an initiative supporting refugee filmmakers and bringing stories of displacement to international audiences.
