Business Support for Ukraine

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, we have seen different initiatives for solidarity and support towards those forced to flee and who are being affected by this humanitarian crisis. Some of our members have also harnessed their resources to provide much needed support. Here is how business can offer their support during this war, with examples from our member companies.

AIB’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine

AIB has expressed their concern and sympathy to everyone affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of the global and European banking community, they recognise the role of banks in the implementation of financial sanctions and will continue to comply with all obligations in this regard.

In response to the resulting humanitarian crisis in the region, they are actively supporting their charity partner GOAL and its Emergency Response Teams on the ground. AIB’s actions so far have included

• Donating €250,000 to support GOAL’s Ukraine Emergency Appeal in the immediate term, as part of an overall €500,000 commitment to support those in need.
• Matching all funds raised by their employees to this Appeal.
• Promoting this Appeal on our social media and other channels.
• Refunding AIB International Payment charges to customers who send money to family, friends and charities in Ukraine.

You can learn more about  the GOAL Ukraine Emergency Appeal at goalglobal.org

Glenveagh to provide emergency accommodation to 40 Ukrainian families

Glenveagh Properties PLC has teamed up with social and affordable housing provider Clúid to provide emergency accommodation in Ireland for up to 40 Ukrainian families who have had to leave their homes following the Russian invasion.

The partnership has been established in recent days in response to the grave humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Capacity will, in part, be sourced from Glenveagh’s completed developments that is additional to existing homes already allocated for housing in 2022.

The measure is one of a number being taken by Glenveagh to help people affected by the conflict.

Other measures include:

• A minimum €250,000 contribution from the company to Ukrainian relief charities. As this is an emergency humanitarian crisis, Glenveagh will be donating this with immediate effect
• Glenveagh has committed to treble all staff contributions to Ukrainian relief charities, which will be made on a voluntary basis through a staff payroll donation mechanism that will allow them to contribute the equivalent of a day’s pay
• Every member of Glenveagh’s Executive Committee has undertaken to make this contribution
• Glenveagh will also invite its suppliers, subcontractors and professional service firms to support the relief effort with a contribution of €500 (or more if circumstances allow)

An Post services for Ukrainian refugees

Ireland’s Post Office, An Post, is here to help Ukranian Refugees. There are currently 5 key supports for Ukrainian refugees, available at their local Post Office:

1. Refugees who need to access Social Welfare Payments and Child Welfare payments from the Irish State will be paid at their designated post office. They need to bring these 2 documents to their local Post Office and they
will receive payment:
a). Their PPS number which they will have received when they registered on arrival in Ireland
b). One photographic ID. E.g.  passport, driver’s licence or national ID card (expired
documents will also be accepted)

2. Refugees who don’t have a physical postal address now but need to receive mail can secure a virtual personal address service with An Post, via Address Point. This service offers a unique postal address and enables the user to pick up their mail from their designated Post Office. Details of how this service operates can be obtained from the Irish Red Cross and other organisations supporting people recently arrived from Ukraine.

3. People coming from Ukraine can get a FREE SIM Card and Three Months Credit for their Mobile Phone, available at their local Post Office. They will need to bring bring their permission letter from the Department of Justice confirming that they have been granted temporary protection under the EU Directive or  their passport with the immigration stamp received on arrival into Ireland.

4. People can receive or send Money from Ukraine with no Fees through An Post’s partner Western Union at a local post office. An Post will not will not charge the usual transfer fee.

5. An Post offer current accounts. Ukrainian refugees who need to open a current account can bring these 3 documents to their local post office:
1). One form of photo ID. E.g. Passport, Driver’s Licence or Ukranian National ID card (expired documents will also be accepted).
2). Their permission letter from the Department of Justice confirming that they have been granted temporary protection under the EU Directive or their passport with the immigration stamp they received on arrival into Ireland together with their recently issued PPS number.
3). Proof of address. If they are staying in State provided accommodation, a hotel / hostel with a relative or Irish Family they can bring a signed letter on headed paper (Household bill in the case of an Irish family) to confirm where they are staying.

For more information visit anpost.com/ukraine

Financial aid initiatives organised by Momentum Support

Momentum Support has joined the movement of businesses that are providing financial support to charities and organisations working on the ground. To that end:

• Momentum Support made a cash donation to UNICEF
• Momentum Support communication was sent to Management representing +2500 employees with a UNICEF DONATE button link.
• Momentum Support made an In kind donation to DAA “Providing cleaning services” for the Ukrainian arrival processing area as they enter Ireland.
•  Momentum Support is currently organising an Ukraine Raffle as well setting up dates for fundraising nationwide, with the help of volunteers from the company

Tesco’s international and local support

Tesco has been part of different support initiatives since the start of the crisis.

1. Support for the Red Cross

• At a  group level, Tesco spoke with the Red Cross to understand what support they most require from business presently. As a result, they directly donated £1million to the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal to provide instant financial support, allowing them to choose how best to allocate this to providing services or food/clothing etc. on the frontline in Ukraine.
• In Ireland, from 4-11^th March Tesco held a customer facing fundraiser in their stores and online to encourage our communities to show their support for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Over 8 days, customers donated €250,000 which Tesco have now matched, with a total donation of over €500,000 going to support the Red Cross in providing humanitarian support in Ukraine.
• In the UK, from 8 March until 21 March, customers can round up their shopping to the nearest £1 at self-service tills and donate their Clubcard vouchers to the British Red Cross, and Tesco will match the value of till round up and Clubcard voucher donations made by customers to the British Red Cross up to a total of £700,000.
• In Central Europe, the first donations of food, hygiene products and clothing left depots in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 26 February. Tesco Group will continue to work closely with official relief organisations in all three countries, as well as local governments. They are also supporting recent arrivals from Ukraine with hundreds of new job opportunities in their businesses in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including language support at the application stage and local language training for successful applicants.

2. Support through Tesco Mobile

To support their customers to stay in contact with their friends and family in Ukraine during this difficult time, Tesco have made calls and texts to Ukraine and from Ukraine to Ireland (for those roaming) free for Tesco Mobile customers for the month of March.

3. Support for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland

Tesco have supported the Irish Government’s request for essential product donations for its reception facility for those arriving from Ukraine at Dublin airport, including toiletries, baby food and healthy snacks.

 4. Sourcing

• Tesco Group, have made a decision to cease the sourcing of products from wholly owned Russian companies, such as Russian Standard vodka.

Vermilion’s financial support initiatives

Vermilion has joined the financial support efforts. Vermilion is making a corporate donation of $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. In addition, they will match a further $50,000 of employee donations made through the Red Cross’s Vermilion portal, (at least $25,000 was raised in the first few days). This funding will support the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as it responds to immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery and other critical needs in Ukraine and surrounding countries. Vermilion is also matching funds donated by employees to the Irish Red Cross or the Red Cross in any country where they operate.

A&L Goodbody’s  pro bono response to the Ukrainian crisis

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, A&L Goodbody LLP (ALG) has made an initial corporate donation to four international aid agencies who are working on the ground in Ukraine. These are Irish Red Cross, GOAL, Depaul Ukraine and UNICEF Ireland. ALG also held an internal fundraiser in aid of the same organisations on Thursday 10 March.

From a pro bono perspective, they are supporting the Irish Refugee Council to respond quickly to the large volume of queries from arriving Ukrainians. Our head of Pro Bono, Eithne Lynch, is providing training to lawyers from 12 other law firms so they can upskill to do this work also.

KPMG Ireland donation of money and supplies for Ukrainian refugees

KPMG Ireland and their global colleagues have and continue to show their support for the people of Ukraine. As a global firm made up of people from countries around the world, including Ukraine and Russia, KPMG’s priority is to support the wellbeing of their people and widen this support where possible.

On a local level, KPMG Ireland has donated €108,000 to the UNICEF Ukraine Appeal, employees donated almost €54,000 which was matched by the firm, showing solidarity and helping UNICEF scale up life-saving support to help children and their families affected by the escalating war.

KPMG Global member firms have also co-ordinated an initiative to get critical supplies to a warehouse close to the Poland/Ukraine border. Donations from KPMG member firms around the world have made it possible for the first truck to travel from Kleve in the westernmost German State of North Rhine-Westphalia to Lublin on the Polish-Ukrainian border. The cargo: medical equipment, medicines, hygiene articles, disinfectants and lots of non-perishable foods. The Irish firm has contributed €50,000 towards this initiative.

Sky Ireland’s response to the Ukraine war

Working in partnership with their staff, Sky Ireland are offering support in a number of different ways.

They have made a collective donation on behalf of Sky Group of €300,000 to support UNICEF’s emergency appeal for Ukraine and have also committed to match fund staff donations to the UNICEF or to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine appeals up to €300,000.

They are also supporting our charity partner, the Irish Refugee Council, with translation support from our Ukrainian and Russian-speaking employees. Sky volunteers are on hand to help translate conversations with refugees entering Ireland and are offering their support where they can.

Across Sky sites in the UK and Ireland, staff are supporting with local donation drives; so far staff have donated thousands of items to be delivered to individuals and families in need in Ukraine and neighbouring supporting countries.

And lastly, Sky is working alongside other Irish media organisations to support an ‘Ireland for Ukraine’ appeal, which will be launched shortly.

Allianz Ireland’s services for people affected by the war

The Allianz group have committed to make €10 million available to support humanitarian efforts, with the first €1 million immediately donated to the German Red Cross. Over time,their donations will be used to deepen the assistance in accordance with medium and long-term needs.

For our existing customers and those arriving to Ireland from Ukraine, Allianz Ireland have introduced the following changes to our products to help make things a little bit easier.

Motor

• Allianz will accept drivers holding Ukrainian driving licences on existing and new car insurance policies. You can add a named driver to your policy on  myallianz .
• People who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine and need to get insured on a Irish registered  or insure a Ukrainian registered vehicle can access Allianz’s insurance  here .
• Allianz customers can add a Ukrainian driver aged above 25 with a full clean Ukrainian driving licence, to their car insurance policy temporarily for up to 30 days at no extra cost. They can do this online at  myallianz.ie .

Home

• For existing customers who have generously welcomed people fleeing Ukraine into their home, Allianz will ensure they have the right cover in place. If a Ukrainian guest gets injured or hurt at their property they will be covered for any legal liability. Existing customers don’t need to do anything to activate this cover it will automatically apply.
• Home insurance covers will not be compromised in any way while doing this act of kindness, in fact we will increase the contents sums insured by €5,000 on all properties housing Ukrainian refugees regardless of whether any contents cover currently exists. Home owners don’t need to do anything to activate this cover it will automatically apply.

Maveric’s support of Ukrainian refugees in Krakow

Maveric Contractors Senior Management Team discussed at length how they as a company, could help out in a practical way to try and make a small difference. In their discussions, they found out that their Survey Director, Piotr Wojtusik, who is based in Krakow in Poland, had opened his door to a family of six in his own apartment and also, on his own volition, rented another apartment to home a further family of five people.

So Maveric decided to do the same and have rented two apartments in Krakow for a period of 6 months. Maveric were thrilled and humbled to hear that a family of five were housed in one apartment, and a family of six, including two elderly grandparents, were housed in the other.

The National Lottery’s Employment Advice sessions

The National Lottery organised free information sessions to support Ukrainians recently arrived in Ireland on how to search for a job on the 23rd & 24^th of March 2022 at their office.

There was a great turnout for these information sessions and The National Lottery have decided to continue to accept registrations of interest for any Ukrainian or other national displaced by the crisis who has recently arrived in Ireland.

Three Ireland offers their services to people coming from Ukraine

Three Ireland has removed roaming charges anywhere in Ukraine for customers in Ukraine or those contacting loved ones from Ireland. Charges associated with calls and texts from Ireland to Ukraine will be credited back to customers’ accounts. The are also providing SIM cards to Ukrainian refugees arriving at Dublin Airport reception facility so they can immediately connect with loved ones – with credit and international minutes included.

Three Ireland employees volunteered to take inbound calls for the Irish Red Cross to support their essential work.  Volunteers from Three Retail are also helping newly arrived refugees with connectivity queries that they may have upon arrival in Ireland. Sim cards have also been given to Ukrainian students who have just started in our partner School in the BITC School’s Business Partnership programme.

Three Ireland employees showed their support for Ukraine with a dedicated fundraiser day in our Dublin and Limerick offices as well as all our stores raising much-needed funds for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

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