The war in Ukraine has led to a humanitarian crisis as millions of people flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. South Yorkshire businesses have already been doing their bit to help, and there are ways you can get involved.
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds in Ukraine, Business in the Community (BITC) is actively exploring how members and their network can provide support.
BITC is encouraging businesses to support the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Bringing together 15 leading UK aid charities, the DEC is aiming to raise funds as quickly and efficiently as possible for Ukraine. The UK Government will match fund donations pound-for-pound up to £20million.
Amanda Mackenzie OBE, chief executive at BITC said: “It’s almost impossible not to be shocked, saddened and appalled at what we are witnessing in Ukraine.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with those who have been and continue to be affected by the lawless attacks.
"Yet through this tragedy, we are seeing the swift actions of businesses prepared to do the right thing, regardless of the significant financial cost.
“This is a moment when any business with a purpose and with principles shows them through their actions. We will be highlighting what businesses are doing and even if you are not directly involved, please help in whatever way you can and – with the support of the Disasters Emergency Committee – we will look to combine those business efforts.”
Carolynn McConnell, Business Connector for Sheffield at BITC said: “We know that people want to help the Ukrainian people and we thought it would be helpful to share ways businesses in South Yorkshire can support.
“We should be proud of the fact that Sheffield is a City of Sanctuary, and our city is open to those who need a safe place in their time of need. The City of Sanctuary website offers advice and information about how to donate directly to Ukrainian charities, as well as providing information about more direct action such as letters to MPs and petitions.”
BITC recommend that businesses consider taking the following actions, as recommended by the Disasters Emergency Committee:
Notify: Using internal communication channels to highlight the appeal to colleagues, clients or memberships
Experience: Enhancing supporter experience through creative communications and opening up new donation channels
Amplify: Using external communication channels to highlight the appeal to customers, followers and wider audiences across the UK public
Match: Matching staff, client, customer or public giving
Sheffield International Trade Centre has been working hard to help people during the crisis in Ukraine.
Tell us a bit about you and your business
Sheffield International Trade Centre (SITC) is the international trade arm of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. Whether it be documentation, customs compliance or certification, our experienced and qualified team are here to support businesses in any aspect of international trade.
How are you trying to support people in Ukraine during the current crisis? What processes have you had to put in place for this and how easy was it to do?
Together with our partners at the British Chambers of Commerce and ChamberCustoms™, we are offering free support and advice, as well as one off-export declarations for groups collecting and transporting humanitarian aid out of the UK.
Many charitable organisations and individual communities have mobilised. They are supporting those affected by the Ukrainian crisis by collecting donations and placing them into vans to be driven to affected areas.
We have found that many of these small groups, who have remarkably stepped up to the plate to support, had very little experience of crossing borders with commercial goods. There is a complicated process that must be followed to avoid the journey being curtailed at border points or charged duty, VAT or fines for non-compliance.
Within the space of about 24 hours, the team at SITC took many calls from individuals requesting advice on how to get these donated goods, which in the eyes of UK and EU customs have a commercial value, to their destination.
After some time, and consulting with the British Chambers of Commerce and ChamberCustoms™, we developed a standardised operating procedure to ensure our advice was both correct, but also easy to follow.
Those at SITC agreed that we would offer any such charitable donations free of charge advice and together with ChamberCustoms™, we would offer our customs broker services free of charge.
Crucially, we could help advise the driver of the correct procedures to avoid paying import duty and VAT when they clear customs at the country of destination.
Do you have any words of advice for other businesses who also want to show their support?
For those who want to provide support in the way of donations, please be aware of the processes involved to transport the goods, while avoiding delay or fines for non-compliance.
We can offer free support and advice. Please contact us on 0114 213 2991 or email international@scci.org.uk for more information.
For further information, the British Chambers of Commerce with ChamberCustoms™ have published some help and guidelines which can be accessed here: www.britishchambers.org.uk/page/ukraine-support
How Fletchers Waste Management supported the people of Ukraine
On Thursday March 10, Fletchers Waste Management embarked on a 2,500 mile round trip to Warsaw in Poland with three tonnes of donations from residents and businesses across South Yorkshire.
The Fletchers team headed for a refugee relief centre, which is providing humanitarian aid for thousands of Ukrainians, many of whom have fled to Poland’s capital to escape the war in their homeland.
Gavin Leverett came up with the idea to collect donations from people across South Yorkshire and make the trip. Gavin said: “In just a week we collected 14 tonnes of donations. Hundreds of boxes were packed up by our team and families who stayed late after work.”
The items donated included nappies, baby food, blankets, towels, sanitary products, non-perishable foods, clothing and pet food. When packing up the donations, each box had to be itemised and a list made up of how many boxes of each type of item the team had to ensure a swift transition through French customs. Some of the goods have since been transported to hospitals in Kyiv and Kharkiv.
Gavin added: “We could only take three tonnes with us, so the rest of the donations have been shipped to refugee centres in Poland via arctic lorries.
“The journey took 30 hours, and we were all humbled to be greeted by such friendly volunteers when we arrived in Warsaw. We have continued to fundraise and have recently sent 100 camp beds to a refugee centre near Krakow.”
Fragomen provide immigration law to Ukrainians
As a global immigration law firm, Fragomen are helping Ukrainians to obtain a UK visa as quickly as possible, allowing them to live and work here under the Ukrainian family scheme. The scheme allows Ukrainians or their immediate family members who have been residing in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 to join or accompany their UK-based immediate or extended family members in the UK.
Fragomen have also helped Ukrainians to extend their leave in the United Kingdom, for example those that are here as a visitor, under the points-based system or holding a seasonal worker visa.
Kathleen O'Donnell, senior manager at Fragomen said: “Each business has its own way of being able to support Ukrainians and it is encouraging to see how the business community has come together to support people in need during this humanitarian crisis.
“We are fortunate at Fragomen to be able to offer our expertise in immigration to help Ukrainians enter, stay, live, and work in several countries worldwide. I would encourage all businesses to think about what they can do to help – no matter how small the initiative may seem, it will be appreciated.”
For more advice, Fragomen have set up a Ukraine Crisis Spotlight page which provides a consolidated overview of the immigration options globally for employers and individuals. Visit www.fragomen.com/trending/ukraine-russia-crisis-what-you-need-to-know.html
