The rapid response of world leaders to the conflict in Ukraine makes the news daily as countries pledge both military and humanitarian aid. The robust response of the private sector is also quickly filling social media with companies and NGOs committing millions both in monetary support and humanitarian supplies for the Ukrainian people, including the growing number of refugees, and headline-making stories of multi-national corporations pulling out of Russia.

While public private partnerships have been an effective way to leverage America’s investments in global development challenges for the greatest impact during times of peace, more and more we are witnessing the private and NGO sector response becoming both an official and unofficial tool in America’s economic and diplomatic toolkit during times of conflict. Indeed, the emergence now of private sector rapid response during an active conflict in Ukraine is elevating their role during a time of war.

Critically important in the diplomatic toolkit is the economic impact the private sector can leverage by suspending consumer operations in Russia. At a time when misinformation is widespread and access to world news is limited in Russia, the private sector response is a powerful diplomatic messaging tool to Russians, expressing global solidarity with Ukraine.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition private sector and NGO members are actively working to provide for the safety of their staff in Ukraine in addition to supporting the people of Ukraine in the following ways.

Abbott is donating $2 million to humanitarian organizations to deliver emergency and primary healthcare services, supplies, and basic needs to Ukraine.

ADRA International is partnering to deliver relief packages and messages of hope to people in Ukraine.

Alight deployed a team of aid workers to Poland–some of these workers include members from Alight’s humanitarian team who responded to the last major conflict in Europe during the Yugoslav Wars two decades ago.

Amazon is donating $5 million to organizations that are providing critical support on the ground, including UNICEF, UNHCR, World Food Program, Red Cross, Polska Akcja Humanitarna, and Save the Children. The company is also matching up to $5 million in employee contributions to those organizations. For customers who want to help, Amazon added donation buttons or direct links to charitable organizations on their homepages, and are waiving fees for payment processing on donations made through Amazon.

AMGEN is contributing two disaster relief grants totaling $500,000 through The Amgen Foundation to International Medical Corps and Project Hope.

Boeing committed $2 million to several relief organizations with $1 million to USGLC Coalition Member CARE. The funding will pay for food, water, and hygiene kits as well as provide monetary assistance and psychosocial support to the people of Ukraine.

CARE International is working with a local NGO, People in Need, to provide emergency supplies on the ground in Ukraine.

Cargill’s initial contribution of $1.2 million to several aid organizations will support the delivery of food and supplies across Eastern Europe.

Catholic Relief Services is partnering with Caritas Ukraine to provide safe shelter, food, and transport to safe areas for the refugees crossing the boarders.

Chemonics International Inc is operating seven projects in Ukraine in partnership with USAID and employs more than 300 Ukrainian staff members. Chemonics is delivering medical commodities, pharmaceuticals, and humanitarian supplies; providing community support; supporting agricultural communities and producers; and providing support to local and the national government.

The Coca-Cola Company ceased operations in Russia and donated 1 million euro to the Red Cross in Ukraine as well as contributed 550,000 euro and donations of beverages to the Red Cross in neighboring countries of Romania, Hungry, Slovakia, and Poland.

Deloitte currently implements two USAID projects in Ukraine with nearly 100 staff members. The projects, one focused health and one focused on economic growth, are being transitioned to provide basic medical support during the crisis.

Food for the Hungry is working through its affiliates to provide emergency support in the Ukrainian crisis. An emergency response team is in Poland serving refugees fleeing Ukraine with both food and non-food items such blankets and basic items in the growing transition centers. A second team is assessing gaps and needs on the Romanian border. Within Ukraine, Food for the Hungry church partners are receiving cash transfers in support of immediate household needs.

Global Communities has partnered with the U.S. government on its work in Ukraine since 2016 and is currently focused on meeting the immediate needs of more than 20,000 internally displaced persons anticipated to arrive in the western part of Ukraine. Working directly with local governments and civil society organizations, Global Communities is supplying essential non-food items.

Google made a $10 million commitment to organizations in Poland, Romania, and Hungry to support the arrival of refugees. Google employees have contributed $25 million in humanitarian aid through personal contributions.  Additionally, the company is providing the use of their start-up campus space in Warsaw, Poland for refugee services.

IFAW is providing funding for the evacuation and temporary shelter for wildlife rescued from the conflict in Ukraine as well as food and supplies for animal shelters, and their caretakers.

IREX had offices in Ukraine since 1994 and in partnership with USAID has implemented programs to support youth, independent media and civil society, local democratic governance, veterans, and internally displaced persons. IREX is redoubling their commitment to support Ukrainians fight for freedom, democracy and ultimately peace and has established a rapid response fund.

Islamic Relief USA is partnering with an international NGO on the ground to scale up their relief efforts for Ukraine and is recognized by USAID as a relief organization active in the humanitarian response in Ukraine.

Johnson & Johnson donated $5 million to support the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent to provide humanitarian support for refugees in border countries. In addition to supplying hygiene kits, health packets, and medical supplies to Ukraine, Johnson & Johnson is launching an unlimited matching program for global employees with its Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

Management Sciences for Health is assisting the government of Ukraine with supply chain of medical products to hospitals, coordination of humanitarian relief through existing channels.

MARS, Inc. is providing food and a cash donation of $2 million, with $1.5 million to Save the Children to help provide for the basic needs of children and their families in Ukraine and in border countries, and $500,000 to Humane Society International for the pets and pet owners fleeing Ukraine. Mars, Inc has also suspended all advertising and new investments in Russia.

Mastercard suspended their network services in Russia in an effort to support an end to the conflict. Cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by the Mastercard network. The company will continue to provide pay and benefits to its 200 employees in Russia while operations are suspended.

Merck donated 100,000 courses of molnupiravir, Merck’s COVID antiviral, to Direct Relief, an organization providing emergency medical assistance. The company committed $1 million to several aid organizations, including $300,000 to the American Red Cross delivering urgent assistance.

Mercy Corps is on the ground in Ukraine, Romania, and Poland, providing funding to local organizations that know their community needs best as well as emergency cash assistance. The organization is supplying displaced persons with information, such as where to access basic services, information on safe routes, and their legal rights.

PepsiCo suspended the sale of Pepsi-Cola and the global beverage brands in Russia in response to the horrific events in Ukraine. The company will continue to sell essentials, including milk, baby food, and baby formula in Russia. The company is also providing aid on the ground to assist Ukrainian refugees by donating food, milk, and refrigerators to relief organizations, as well as a contribution of $4 million to the Red Cross in Poland, World Vision in Romania, the World Food Programme, and Save the Children, among others.

The Pfizer Foundation has provided humanitarian grant funding to the American Red Cross, International Medical Corps, and the International Rescue Committee; launched a Ukrainian Humanitarian Disaster Campaign for employees to donate to key relief organizations; and donated medicine for refugees in the surrounding countries of Ukraine.

Save the Children is working with asylum seekers in reception centers in Romania that are providing food, water and hygiene. Additionally, they are supporting child protection services in Poland and Romania. Save the Children established a Ukrainian Crisis Relief Fund to support these efforts.

Tetra Tech supports USAID in Ukraine in the energy and anti-corruption sectors.  At this time, Tetra Tech is providing relief to their Ukrainian colleagues and their families to continue to ensure their health, safety, and security.

UNICEF USA is supporting UNICEF as it scales up relief efforts in the hard hit areas inside of Ukraine and is setting up 26 “Blue Dot Hubs” in countries bordering Ukraine. The hubs provide information for travelers, facilitate family reunification, and offer health services.

UPS suspended operations in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The UPS Foundation is providing $1 million in initial emergency funding and in-kind support to CARE, UNICEF, UNHCR, and the World Food Programme, along with several other relief organizations on the ground in Ukraine.

World Hope is working with partners on the ground in Moldova to provide water, food, and protection services to Ukrainian refugees.

World Vision is supporting refugees in Romania, Georgia, and Moldova as well displaced people in Ukraine by providing food, water, and hygiene kits.

World Food Program USA is supporting the U.N. World Food Programme as the organization sets up operations in the neighboring countries of Ukraine to facilitate food delivery to refugees coming across the border.

If you are a member of USGLC’s national coalition and would like to share what your company or organization is doing to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, please email Dana Bruce, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, at [email protected] 

Photo Credit: Mirek Pruchnicki