Wabtec, CP, KCS Supporting Ukraine Relief Efforts (UPDATED)
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The Wabtec Foundation, Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) are donating $100,000, $500,000 and $500,000, respectively, in support of humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees.
“Currently, the United Nations estimates more than 1.5 million civilians have fled the fighting in Ukraine,” reported the Wabtec Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Wabtec Corp. “It is the fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II.”
The Foundation will provide $50,000 apiece to International Rescue Committee (IRC) and World Central Kitchen. “From the start of the conflict, the IRC and World Central Kitchen have been in the region servicing those in need,” it noted. “The IRC is working to scale up support to the government and civil society and to provide for the basic needs of the refugees. … The World Central Kitchen began serving hot, nourishing meals in Poland within a day of when the conflict started. The charity is now set up at eight border crossings, as well in Przemyśl—a city receiving many refugee families.”
“By supporting the International Rescue Committee and World Central Kitchen, we hope Ukrainian civilians find comfort and relief in this time of need,” Wabtec President and CEO Rafael Santana said. “Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, our employees in the region, and their friends and families.”
CP has pledged $500,000 to the Canadian Red Cross.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and we hope this donation will provide some much-needed support in the growing humanitarian crisis this deeply troubling conflict has created,” CP President and CEO Keith Creel said. “The strength and bravery of the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedoms is nothing short of inspiring.”
The Class I railroad also reported that it will be 100% matching employee donations for the next 30 days made to the Canadian Red Cross and American Red Cross; it will continue to match donations to other aid agencies providing relief to those in Ukraine via CP’s employee charitable giving program.
KCS announced March 11 that it has pledged a total of $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support the global Red Cross network response to the Ukraine humanitarian crisis, and will also match employee contributions to the American Red Cross for this effort.
”The entire world sees the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and we want to support the international effort to provide relief,“ said KCS president and CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “I encourage all of our employees, vendors, suppliers, customers and others across the world to join in these relief efforts.”
The American Red Cross has deployed international crisis responders to Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania to provide humanitarian relief in support of the international Red Cross operation helping families who fled their homes. These highly trained crisis responders are supporting on-the-ground relief efforts alongside local teams, including the Polish Red Cross and Moldovan Red Cross.
