Customers of the IKEA store in Slependen, Norway, went in to find inspiration for their homes, but what they actually found was one of the most powerful awareness campaigns that highlights the horrible living conditions of Syrian refugees.
Working with Norwegian Red Cross and an advertising agency POL, IKEA has installed a model Syrian home inside the store. The home is actually a replica of the one in Damascus, Syria that belongs to a woman named Rana, and her family of nine. The walk-through installation is called "25 m2 of Syria" as the whole house, inhabited by 10 people, fits inside 25 square meters. "When we had to flee to this area to find safety, we did not have enough money to rent a better place. We have no money to buy mattresses and blankets, or clothes for the children," Rana told the Red Cross team.
The house also features the recognizable IKEA posters, yet this time instead of product descriptions visitors see the stories of Syrians who deal with daily shortages of the basic needs like food, water, and medical supplies. Every price tag also features a clear call to action with a text-based donate link for visitors who want to contribute to the cause.
