OREANDA-NEWS. With the world refugee crisis growing and the risk of other humanitarian tragedy increasing, The UPS Foundation, which leads the global citizenship programs for UPS (NYSE: UPS), will award the highest amount of grant funding and in-kind support ever to advance humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery programs. In addition, it will expand its support and expertise to help make roads safer around the world for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. The combination of grants and in-kind services will go to more than 30 NGOs, non-profit organizations and United Nations (UN) agencies for a total of $14 million.

“Initiatives that aid refugees and advance community safety have never been more critical,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer at UPS. “We always look for ways to apply our logistics expertise to help solve problems, save lives and build community resilience around the world. These are vital areas where we can work with our NGO and non-profit partners to make a real difference.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will receive a grant to support expansion of the UPS Relief Link program, which speeds the distribution of critical supplies to refugees. To date, UPS Relief Link has helped more than 120,000 refugees, cutting the time it takes to equitably distribute urgent goods to those in refugee camps by 50%. The grant also will assist with emergency preparedness supply training and other important initiatives to aid refugees. 

The UPS Foundation also will support the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation’s “Helmets for Kids” and “Safe Roads. Safe Communities.” programs, which in 2016 will provide bike helmets for children in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Since “Helmets for Kids” started in 2011, child helmet usage has increased from 17% to 83% in program areas and 289 children have been protected from traumatic brain injury in motorcycle crashes.

In addition, The UPS Foundation is expanding its logistical support and technical assistance with up to five UPS loaned executives scheduled for long-term assignments with NGOs. Managers will be loaned to organizations that need on-the-ground logistics expertise and support. An executive from UPS’s Healthcare Group is helping to implement supply chain strengthening strategies for governments in Africa with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). A UPS Automotive Group executive will be on loan with a UN agency to analyze regional trucking operations in Africa and make key decisions on transportation needs and strategies moving forward. Yet another UPS executive will work with the WFP on pandemic preparedness.

Some of the other humanitarian organizations receiving grants will include:

  • American National Red Cross – to help provide basic needs immediately following crises.
  • CARE USA – to provide emergency funding and capacity building workshops for CARE logisticians in high risk countries and in-kind support.
  • Operation Hope – to assist the Disaster Recovery Fund to help disaster survivors with financial recovery solutions.
  • UNICEF – to fund the rollout of a dashboard system to help Ministries of Health monitor and manage vaccine inventories in countries, giving crucial alerts to restock before depletion.
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizenship Center – in support of the Saglam Kobi Business Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative.
  • World Food Program USA – in support of its Toward Zero Food Loss Initiative to eliminate post-harvest waste.

UPS extends its safe driving expertise to the communities it serves through UPS Road Code® training, a teen safe driving program. The training is offered in the U.S. in conjunction with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and overseas with various youth development organizations. Taught by UPS volunteers and based on the company’s safe-driving methods, the program is available to teens between the ages of 13 and 18. To date, more than 22,900 teenagers have participated. The program has been extended to the UK, Canada, Germany and China. In April 2016, UPS plans to expand the program into Mexico by giving a grant to Guis de Mexico A.C. Since the program’s inception, The UPS Foundation has given $12.5 million in total Road Code contributions.  

About The UPS Foundation

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation leads the global citizenship programs for UPS which includes philanthropy, corporate relations and community engagement in local, national, and international communities. In 2014, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $104 million in charitable giving around the world.