How Asda and the Asda Foundation are providing £1m of support for Ukrainian families and removing Russian products from sale

With the situation in the Ukraine concerning many of our colleagues and customers, Asda and the Asda Foundation have today announced a £1m package of support.

This will be aimed at immediately helping families forced to leave their homes in the aftermath of the Russian invasion, as well as long-term support for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK.

The measures will include a donation of £100k from the Asda Foundation for national UK-based refugee support groups, with grants of up to £580k available to support local and grass-roots refugee groups within the communities we serve across the UK.

Asda will also be making a £250k donation to UNICEF to support the setup of a Blue Dot centre, which will provide a safe space for up to 5,000 children and families and give them access to things like emergency water and hygiene kits on the ground.

We will also be sending essential supplies including George clothing, nappies, toiletries, period products and food delivered by Asda logistics partners to a site in Poland, where they will then be distributed to those who need them in Ukraine.

As we know many of our customers also want to help, we will be making it possible to give cash donations in-store and via our online grocery website and app to support international charities working on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

For those contacting loved ones affected by the conflict, Asda Mobile has made calls and texts to and from Ukraine free, and has removed charges for data use within Ukraine.

In a further measure, we will also be removing products that originate from Russia in our stores and online too.

Mohsin Issa, Asda’s co-owner, said: “We stand with our customers and colleagues who are shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine - and our thoughts are with those people whose lives are affected by this crisis. The community spirit that is at the heart of Asda extends beyond our own borders and we’re proud to have worked with a range of partners in the UK to provide practical and meaningful support for Ukrainians at home and for those who continue to seek safety in neighbouring countries.”

**John Cookman, deputy chair at the Asda Foundation said: *“***We have a long history of supporting grassroots community groups across the UK, and that includes when communities respond in times of global crisis. As we look ahead to the coming months we see an ongoing need to support refugees arriving in the UK and are pleased to be able to play our part in helping groups to provide essential support services on the ground.”

If colleagues or customers would like to make their own personal donation, they can do so by visiting https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/donate-now-to-protect-children-in-ukraine/