The FINANCIAL — To mark World Sight Day this year, Standard Chartered has announced that its Seeing is Believing programme has reached a fundraising milestone of USD75 million, progressing towards its target to raise USD100 million by 2020, to bring affordable eye-care in areas of high need.
Seeing is Believing is Standard Chartered’s global charitable initiative to tackle avoidable blindness run in partnership with the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). As one of the biggest corporate contributors seeking to eliminate avoidable blindness, Seeing is Believing has reached 53 million people across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, according to Standard Chartered.
The global economic cost of blindness is estimated to be USD200 billion per year. Across the world, 39 million people are blind and 246 million people suffer from visual impairment. With 90 per cent of avoidable blindness occurring in low and middle income countries, it is an issue with particular resonance in many markets where Standard Chartered operates. Through Seeing is Believing, Standard Chartered aims to addresses a key health issue that diminishes the quality of life of individuals and impacts economic growth.
“Started in 2003 as a staff-driven initiative, Seeing is Believing has grown to an international campaign which has supported 96 eye health projects in 26 countries worldwide,” David Fein, Chairman of Seeing is Believing and Group General Counsel of Standard Chartered, said.
“Building on the great momentum, we pledged at the Clinton Global Initiative 2011 to raise USD100 million by 2020 to tackle avoidable blindness. Thanks to the great efforts of our staff, clients, partners and friends, today we announce that we are well on course to hit our fundraising target. While we are delighted with progress so far, avoidable blindness is still an under-acknowledged health issue, and it will not be eliminated without the support of many. Corporations and individuals, donors and volunteers – today, on World Sight Day, we call on you to join us in the fight to eliminate avoidable blindness,” he added.
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