We continue to be saddened by Russia’s horrible war in Ukraine. We continue to stand with the people of Ukraine, including our many Associates there, and those who have been forced to leave their homes, who have shown remarkable resilience and bravery under circumstances no one should ever have to experience.
Protecting and supporting our Associates in Ukraine has been and remains our priority. Throughout the war we have worked closely with them and experts on the ground to ensure they are safe and supported. We continue to stand by them, and we are grateful for their strength and courage—it is an example for all of us.
So far, Mars has donated $12 million to support the International Committee of the Red Cross, Save the Children International, Humane Society International, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Central Kitchen and Veterinarians Without Borders in their heroic efforts to make a difference for the people and their pets impacted by this terrible war.
Today, we announce an additional $13.5 million to help people and their pets on the ground in Ukraine.
Projects to provide nutrition, safe and reliable shelter, mental health and rehabilitation services for the people of Ukraine (approximately $9 million)
With our support we aim to help the people of Ukraine gain access nutritious meals, safe and reliable shelter, and mental health and rehabilitation services. We will also provide support to help rebuild Ukraine’s agriculture sector:
- U.S. Agency for International Development. USAID’s support aims to ease the strain on Ukraine’s health system and address the direct human costs of the war, including programs to support workforce training for primary health care workers, psychologists, rehabilitation staff, nurses, and social workers, as well as adapting and developing specific units for mental health and rehabilitation services.
- UNHCR. The U.N. refugee agency provides emergency shelter material to people in areas directly impacted by shelling and attacks and in areas newly retaken by the government of Ukraine. It also is investing in repairs and advising on housing solutions that can help people return to their homes where possible.
- World Food Program. The WFP has developed a project to strengthen the resilience of farmers, local and national food systems, and economies through de-mining and land rehabilitation. This project is the first step in restoring food systems and phasing out the reliance on humanitarian food aid for the Ukrainian people.
- World Central Kitchen. World Central Kitchen has been in Ukraine since the war began. They focus on helping the estimated 18 million people who live in hard-to-reach areas, where markets are inaccessible due to the hostilities, damaged infrastructure, mine contamination, or limited power supply that makes cooking impossible.
Projects to provide access to nutrition, veterinary care and shelter for the pets of Ukraine ($4.5 million)
We believe that pets make the world a better place, and so in addition to helping the people of Ukraine, Mars will help pets and pet owners in Ukraine with access to nutrition, veterinary care and shelter. This includes:
- International Fund for Animal Welfare. Since the start of the war, IFAW’s rescue teams have been in Ukraine and along its borders helping save animals and supporting the Ukrainian people. IFAW will expand its work by focusing on feeding, treating, sheltering, and reuniting community animals and their guardians, as well as rescue, rehabilitate, rehome and release wildlife under constant shelling.
- Veterinarians Without Borders. VWB will support companion animals by expanding the use of telehealth to build the capacity of Ukrainian veterinarians, support food delivery, provision of clinical veterinary services and the rehabilitation of shelters to remain open and operational during the ongoing war. It also will support 100 small-scale farmers using telehealth and other veterinary support to support the livestock sector.
- Greater Good Charities. GGC is partnering with pet food producers like Mars to provide nutritious food as well as “hard” goods like feeding bowls, leashes and collars. They aim to provide 1 million meals per month for the rest of 2023.
- Humane Society International. HSI will continue providing food, veterinary care, medications, supplies and resources to pets in Ukraine. It also will support pet-owning refugees in securing pet-friendly shelter and housing, sustain veterinary partners with critical supplies and resources, support Ukrainian veterinarians in extending care to severely underserved areas, and bolster access to food within shelters and local communities.
We will continue to honor the full set of commitments we made last year to restrict our business in Russia. We reiterate our sympathy for the innocent victims of this terrible war and express our support for the people of Ukraine.
