ANTA Group pledged $1.5 million and 1.2 million items of sportswear and equipment for displaced young people in a renewed U.N. refugee program amid education funding gaps.
The three-year initiative, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), will run from 2026 to 2029. ANTA said it aims to reach 300,000 more young people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi and other African countries, setting a six-year goal of 600,000 forcibly displaced young people by 2029.
UNHCR said its partnership with ANTA began in 2023. For the 2023-25 phase, ANTA provided $1.5 million and more than 1.2 million clothing and sportswear items, the agency said. UNHCR reported that the first phase reached more than 300,000 displaced children and young people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Burundi.
The earlier program provided financial aid and learning materials to more than 33,500 children, according to UNHCR. It also supported 16 new classrooms and sports facilities across 48 schools, while nearly 13,000 students took part in specialized sports training and competitions.
ANTA said the renewed contribution will pass through the China Charity Federation and the Chinese Red Cross Foundation, with approval from relevant government ministries. The company named primary education, sports for protection and continued schooling during emergencies as priorities.
ANTA said the agreement was signed in Geneva by Wu Yonghua, its executive director and co-CEO, and UNHCR deputy high commissioner Tressa Rae Finerty. UNHCR said funding shortfalls can interrupt education during emergencies or new displacement, while the renewed program gives it flexibility to adjust as local conditions change.
“Young people forced to flee need more than safety,” Finerty said. “They need opportunities to learn, develop their talents and feel part of a community.”
