Amazon announced on Tuesday that it is transforming the warehouse space in Slovakia into a large humanitarian aid center to provide urgently needed supplies for refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Amazon said that teams from all over the world gathered to transform 5000 square meters of space in 10 days, the largest such center in Amazon’s history. Amazon will use its expertise in global logistics to quickly and efficiently provide front-line organizations with shelter materials, sanitary supplies, blankets and clothing.
A network of fulfillment centers across Europe is ready to deliver more than 4 million items donated by Amazon and its customers. The company will fill in the items that must be donated directly according to charity needs. European customers can donate money to support this work through the wish list of Amazon Europe store.
Amazon’s transportation service team transported goods to the new center in Slovakia and worked with charities, including save the children and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to distribute goods to displaced refugees from there.
The location of the center will accelerate the flow of relief supplies in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova and the Czech Republic to help Ukrainian families in need.
The United Nations High Commissioner for refugees estimates that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 10 million people have fled, 3.5 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries and 6.5 million have been displaced in Ukraine.
Amazon previously announced that it would donate $5 million to the United Nations Children’s fund, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees, the world food programme, the Red Cross, Polska akja humanitarian organization and save the children, and an additional $5 million to its employees.
Amazon has a special page to raise money for humanitarian relief and saving children through the Red Cross.