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From Airbnb to Starlink: How these brands are supporting Ukrainian relief efforts

Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began nearly two weeks ago, companies and brands from across the world have been trying to determine how they can assist in relief efforts. Countless companies have severed ties with Russia in addition to ramping up financial support for various initiatives to support the growing number of refugees in the region.

Below is a compilation of what brands from commerce to tech are doing in the wake of the ongoing crisis.

Amazon

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy tweeted that Amazon will support humanitarian relief NGOs on the ground with cash donations from Amazon as well as assist with logistics to get supplies to people who need them. That includes $5 million donated to aid organizations, such as the Red Cross and Save the Children, and a promise to match an additional $5 million in donations among their employees to those organizations.

Etsy

Etsy waived their seller fees for Ukrainians. According to their CEO, Josh Silverman, that savings has thus far amounted to nearly $4 million. They've also created a page devoted to products supporting Ukraine.

FedEX

According to an internal memo, FedEx donated $1.5 million in humanitarian aid after cutting off both Russia and Belarus. That donation includes both $1 million for in-kind shipping that helps different organizations to transport necessary supplies into the region as well as $550,000 for various NGOs across the continent.

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Unilever

The British multinational consumer goods company, Unilever, is actively working with NGO partners in the region to donate $5.5 million in food and hygiene products to refugees and others impacted by the invasion. They've also launched a program to match donations given by employees.

"We are deeply shocked by the senseless acts of violence being perpetrated against the innocent people of Ukraine, and we condemn the Russian state’s invasion for what it is: a brutal act of war against a neighboring sovereign country," said CEO Alan Jope in a statement. "We join the many voices calling for its end, and hope that peace, human rights and the international rule of law will prevail. The people of Ukraine are utmost in our thoughts at this desperate time and we have been focused on doing everything we can to protect the safety of our 146 employees and their families across the country."

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L'Oreal

The French beauty company, L'Oréal, announced a solidarity plan for Ukraine, supporting local and international NGOs with an immediate donation of €1 million via its L'Oréal Fund for Women. They've also announced plans to donate hygiene products to the growing number of refugees, amounting to over 300,000 products.

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Bank of America

Bank of America is donating $1 million across five organizations, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Ukraine, World Central Kitchen, Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, International Medical Corps, and Project Hope. They will also match employee donations that support relief in Ukraine.

JPMorgan

JPMorgan announced in late February a $1 million donation and employee-matching scheme to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

"We are heartbroken to witness the tragic and growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine," a note from JPMorgan's operating committee read. "Our thoughts are with the innocent civilians who are suffering, and those individuals and families in neighbouring countries and around the world who have been impacted."

PayPal

Besides suspending their services in Russia, PayPal has launched various donation campaigns that have raised $3 million as of early March for Ukrainian relief efforts.

"PayPal supports the Ukrainian people and stands with the international community in condemning Russia’s violent military aggression in Ukraine," CEO Dan Schulman wrote in a LinkedIn post. "The tragedy taking place in Ukraine is devastating for all of us, wherever we are in the world."

Wells Fargo

Like Bank of America, Wells Fargo is also donating $1 million. Their donation will support the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, and the United Service Organizations. They've also said that they will match employee donations that support relief efforts in and around Ukraine.

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Flexport

Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen announced via Twitter that it's organizing an airlift of humanitarian relief supplies for refugee centers in Eastern Europe. Petersen continued, announcing partnerships with the UN, UNICEF, Project Hope, and Airlink Flight to manage logistics.

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H&M

H&M's foundation announced last week a $100,000 donation to UNHCR to support refugees fleeing Ukraine. The donation will support refugees in offering cash assistance, emergency shelter, and other core relief items.

IKEA

Besides pausing operations in both Russia and Belarus, the IKEA Foundation announced an immediate donation of €20 million for humanitarian assistance to all those who have been forcibly displaced due to the ongoing war.

Talbots

Talbots announced that it's shipping 8,000 items via Give Back Box Charity Inc. to assist Ukrainians.

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Accenture

Like many other businesses, Accenture discontinued its business in Russia where they have over 2,300 staff members. The brand explained the decision and an upcoming donation in a statement reading, "We are donating $5 million to nonprofit relief organizations working to help people in Ukraine and those who are being displaced into Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic."

Grammarly

Grammarly, led by Ukrainian-born co-founders, announced they will donate the combined net revenue from Russia and Belarus since the war began in 2014 will go towards causes supporting Ukraine. That amounts totals over $5 million. They've also already contributed $1 million to "trustworthy organizations," according to a message shared with Adweek.

Microsoft

Similar to other tech brands, Microsoft is severing its ties to Russian state-sponsored media, such as removing their mobile apps from the Windows App store. They're also working to protect Ukraine from both cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns.

SAP

Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov himself noted in a tweet that SAP ceased its operations in Russia. SAP CEO Christian Klein confirmed the decision in a tweet responding to Fedorov. It's also been reported that SAP will allocate more than $1 million in humanitarian aid for Ukrainians in addition to offering technical support to the Red Cross and the UN Refugee Agency.

Starlink

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk established Starlink satellite internet terminals to support Ukraine. Musk warned via Twitter that it's the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine and that the probability of being targeted is high.

VistaCreate

VistaCreate started out by creating 300-plus templates for social media platforms, like Instagram and Twitter, for users to show support for Ukrainians. They've also made a donation to World Central Kitchen, Chef José Andrés' not-for-profit organization which has been in both Ukraine and Poland to help feed refugees.

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Airbnb

People from all over the world are booking stays in Ukraine with no intention of visiting because hosts are paid 24 hours after a guest leaves. What began as a grassroots effort quickly amounted to approximately $2 million over just two days, according to Airbnb. To support this effort, Airbnb waived all host and guest fees in Ukraine. The holiday booking company also announced an initiative to offer free, short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees.

Photo courtesy of Yehor Milohrodskyi on Unsplash

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