Ferrero joins Ukraine humanitarian aid, as Messe Düsseldorf welcomes refugees
Lviv, Ukraine - refugees fleeing the country head via train to Poland.
Ferrero has added its voice to major industry concerns for the war in Ukraine, stating it is ‘deeply saddened by the terrible situation,’ as it places €1 million into humanitarian aid and halts operations in the country, writes Neill Barston.
Furthermore, the company said it had temporarily paused its development plans within Russia, along with a number of other major multinational corporations across business sectors, in the wake of the invasion last month.
Beyond the shutdown of its facilities in Ukraine along with Mars and Nestle earlier announcing similar measures in light of the rapidly deteriorating conditions in the Eastern European nation.
As industry analysts have noted – there remains another key element beyond the pure closure of manufacturing and sales sites, in that between them, Russia and Ukraine account for around a third of the world’s wheat and grain, used right across the food chain, including within many confectionery and snacks series. The conflict has notably impacted these core supply chains.
A statement from Ferrero read: “From the outset, our top priority has been to ensure the safety of our employees, associates, and their families. We have been helping them to reach safety zones, providing them with emergency cash, fuel for their cars, food, medicines, basic supplies, and shelter.
“We are working with UNICEF to help children and families in Ukraine, donating one million euros to reach as many children and their families as possible with clean water, blankets, basic medical care, personal hygiene kits, as well as physical and mental health assistance. We are complementing this with local aid in several European countries receiving refugees as well as through employee donations,” added the company, which confirmed its pause of all non-essential activities and development plans in Russia, in line with most other food companies. This includes promotions and advertising.
The business added: “We will reassess our decisions on a regular basis as we continue to closely monitor the impacts of this dramatic and rapidly evolving situation, doing our utmost to safeguard people’s safety while continuing to support colleagues in local markets who face a lot of uncertainty.”
Messe Düsseldorf Aid
After suspending its own operations in Ukraine and Russia (through its Moscow subsidiary) Messe Düsseldorf has allocated its largest hall to support refugees from the rapidly unfolding Eastern European crisis.
It explained that its solidarity was with all those who were suffering in the war, insisting that it must move to offer direct assistance.
As it confirmed, the 25.000 square meter hall at the Dusseldorf Messe was set up with 1000 cots and around 2.500 meters of partition walls to divide the hall into smaller rooms. The 40 shower places and the changing rooms were extended with separate cabines and catering will be provided by Stockheim Catering.
“We were very happy to accommodate the request from the Office for Migration and Integration of the City of Düsseldorf. … we are deeply moved by the plight of the refugees. Receiving and accommodating them is a matter of course for us,” says Wolfram Diener, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.
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