The donation will go towards a number of Sightsavers’ eye care programmes in Asia, as well as helping us to invest in programmes to improve eye health infrastructure in Africa.
Arcadia’s founders, philanthropists Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, said: “Restoring and protecting eyesight in developing countries helps tackle poverty. Practical work like cataract surgery or providing reading glasses can change lives. It can mean a child succeeds at school, or someone can earn money for their family. Sightsavers is impressive and effective. We are happy to support its work and hope others will too.”
Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper said: “We are delighted to receive such a boost to our eye health work, as this area is in real need of increased funding. 75% of sight loss can be cured or prevented, so it’s an area where donors can have a very real impact, and this grant from Arcadia will enable us to establish new initiatives in Africa. Sightsavers can only help countries to develop their health infrastructure if supporters like Lisbet and Peter partner with us, so we are hugely appreciative.”
Arcadia supports charities and scholarly institutions that preserve cultural heritage and the environment, as well as initiatives that promote open access, and all of its awards are granted on the condition that any materials produced are made available for free online. Since 2002, Arcadia has given more than $570 million to projects around the world.
The funding will enable us to screen and treat more people for eye conditions such as cataracts, refractive error, trachoma and river blindness.
Our eye health workThe extra funding from international donors will help speed up the elimination of trachoma in Africa by expanding and extending the programme.
We're attending the conference in Miami on 6-14 March to share our expertise, engage with the education community and explore how we can transform inclusive education.
Sightsavers is at the 100% Optical conference in London on 24-26 February, to raise awareness about avoidable blindness and invite eye health professionals to help protect sight worldwide.