WakaWaka Presents #SharetheSun at DISTREE EMEA 2016

On World Refugee Day this past June, WakaWaka launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about the global refugee crisis and energy poverty.

Sixty million people -- almost one percent of the world's population -- have been forced to flee from their homes due to violence, conflict and persecution. Nearly six months have passed and the most striking thing about the crisis is how much worse it might still get. There are more refugees and displaced people now than at any other time in recorded history.

In another life, they were doctors, shopkeepers, construction workers, homemakers, schoolchildren. They have fled their cities and villages, escaping bombs, torture and executions. They are arriving by boat, raft and inflatable dinghy. Braving increasingly harsh weather and unsafe conditions, they are making their way across continents on foot. Life belongings in a single bag.

Close your eyes.

Imagine what it would be like to live in pitch black,

night after night.

Today there are more than 60 million displaced people fleeing the world’s worst humanitarian crises since World War II. Light and power are crucial to safety, security and connection among displaced communities. Let’s bring light and hope to those 60 million. Join us and send a WakaWaka Solar Light to the Habitat for Humanity today.

From 24-27 February, for every post shared and hashtagged #SharetheSun and #DISTREE on Instagram or Twitter, WakaWaka will donate one solar flashlight to Habitat for Humanity International on your behalf to support families caught in crisis and living without access to electricity.

“Our brand is all about making a difference and creating impact,” said WakaWaka founder, Camille van Gestel. “We would like to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and to help spark change as technology brands and retail industry leaders gather at DISTREE EMEA. This issue has been close to our hearts and minds for years. One of our humanitarian partners, Dani El Tayar from Habitat for Humanity Lebanon explained “a WakaWaka is so much more than just a light. It brings the people security in the camps at night, it saves them from the present danger of fire and the health hazards accompanied by candles or oil lamps. And additionally the solar light is also saving them costs.”

TO PARTICIPATE:

1. Like WakaWaka on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

2. Share a tweet or Instagram post including hashtags #SharetheSun and #DISTREE

3. For every post shared tagging #SharetheSun and #DISTREE, WakaWaka will donate one WakaWaka Solar Light to Habitat for Humanity International.

When the sun goes down families shouldn’t have to be in darkness. We are standing by those 60 million, lighting their way home.

About WakaWaka:

WakaWaka (which means “shine bright” in Swahili) is an award-winning social enterprise on a mission to end energy poverty. The company develops, manufactures and markets high-tech low-cost solar-powered flashlights and chargers. To date, WakaWaka has helped bring light and power to more than 1,000,000 people living without access to electricity. Replacing kerosene lamps with WakaWaka solar lights has a critical, large-scale effect on health, safety, education, community and economic development, particularly in remote regions, disaster-struck or war-torn areas. Buy a WakaWaka and you also give a solar light to a family caught in crisis and living without access to electricity.

For more information visit waka-waka.com and follow us on Twitter: and Facebook at .