Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, has drastically impacted the country’s citizens.

Airstrikes, military tanks, and high caliber weaponry are rampant throughout the land. Fast Company reports that parents are sending their children to school with stickers on them identifying their blood type.

According to the Daily Sundial, a Ukrainian resident Daniel Sokoy has been urging others on social media platforms to get water filters, and fill up their bathtubs with water in case their supply is compromised.

To make matters worse, Ukraine isn’t the only nation to be affected by Russia’s invasion.

The Shot Heard Around the World
The Ukraine crisis could have consequences affecting countries all over the globe. You’re probably wondering how – we were too.

Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat, an important gas and oil producer, and the supplier of the majority of Europe’s food. In addition, Ukraine is a crucial producer of barley and vegetable oil, which goes into the majority of packaged foods.

According to the New York Times, the rapidly increasing costs of gas and fertilizer have already contributed to a global rise in the price of wheat and other vital goods.

Christian Bogmans, an economist with the International Monetary Fund, told the New York Times, “Production might be interrupted, and shipping may be affected as well.”

Bogmans also explained in the same interview that if other countries place restrictions on Russian food imports, it will likely hinder global supplies and inflate prices even further.

Thankfully, businesses around the world are stepping up to the plate, helping Ukrainian citizens as much as they can.

Let’s Get Down to Business(es)
The companies that are engaging in socially responsible marketing to benefit Ukraine give new meaning to the phrase, “not all heroes wear capes.” Apparently, a lot of them dress in business attire.

How can you do your part to help out the people of Ukraine? Simple – by supporting the following companies and organizations in their efforts.

• Sunflower of Peace has set in motion a fundraiser that will provide backpacks filled with first aid supplies for doctors and paramedics to use on the front lines. Their Facebook page states that each bag has the potential to save ten lives.
• Adidas AG has suspended its partnership with Russia’s football union.
• AirBnB announced that they will provide free, short-term housing for 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, which the company will pay for through donations.
• Facebook is limiting some accounts belonging to Russian-back media outlets in Europe, and is also preventing Russian outlets from making money off of advertisements, and spreading false information about the conflict with Ukraine.
• A Salvation Army spokesperson told Newsweek that “All donations will go directly to efforts on the ground in Ukraine, Poland, and other surrounding countries taking in refugees.”
• Come Back Alive will use donations to fund the Ukrainian military with supplies.
• Etsy is canceling all owed balances and fees from Ukrainian sellers, which Forbes says adds up to about 4 million dollars, to lessen any current financial hardships they may be facing.
• UPS and FedEx have suspended shipments to Russia.
• Visa will be donating 2 million dollars to the United States’ fund for UNICEF, which will be used to provide support to Ukrainian citizens. According to the company’s announcement, “Visa will also double match all employee donations (up to $1 million) to the Ukraine response funds of UNICEF and the Red Cross.”
• Popular oil giant BP retracted the 20% investment it had in Rosneft, which is a Russian oil company.
• Multiple liquor stores across the United States and Canada are boycotting Russian alcohol.

Businesses in Ukraine are making a stand too. Employees of the Pravda Brewing company have stopped making beer, and instead taken up molotov cocktails. Fearing that Russian tanks will roll through Lviv, they are arming themselves and their neighbors in the best way they can. They’ve even begun making weapons for the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, which is an organization comprised of reservists who responded to the Ukrainian president’s call to action.

Business owners and consumers alike, we urge you to show your support by donating whatever and whenever possible. Lives are at stake, and it’s everyone’s business. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog in April to learn about different ways you can use your company to make the world a better place. You can be a hero too, minus the cape.