Marriott raises £1.3m for Ukraine relief efforts

Marriott International has announced its hotels and associates have raised over $1.7m (£1.3m) in cash and donations for Ukrainian refugees.

Over 80 of the group’s hotels in neighbouring countries have also signed up to provide free hotel stays for refugees through Hospitality Helps, donating over 11,000 free room nights to date.

Meanwhile, Marriott Bonvoy will be matching donations point-for-point for World Central Kitchen and UNICEF up to 100 million points donated this year to support relief efforts. To date, over 46 million Marriott Bonvoy points have been donated.

In addition to Marriott International’s deployment of $1m (£766,665) in support of impacted associates, their families, and communities in the region, The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation has donated $1m (£766,665) to support associates and organisations on the ground.

This includes UNICEF, World Central Kitchen, International Rescue Committee, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, La Strada, and the International Organisation for Migration, as they provide services and relief to those impacted by the crisis.

Marriott has also deployed internal disaster relief funding for associates and their families who have left Ukraine to assist with resettlement aid, including food vouchers, transportation assistance, medical, and legal support.

Marriott International said: “As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, the humanitarian crisis has continued to worsen. We are deeply concerned for the more than four million people who have fled Ukraine for safety in neighbouring countries, millions more displaced within the country’s borders, and countless others impacted by the fighting.

“Supporting the communities in which we operate has always been part of Marriott International’s culture and the company has a long history of working with numerous international organisations in support of refugees and displaced people globally.”

It added: “We deplore the suffering and loss of life. While we hope for a peaceful resolution, we remain committed to serving those in need.”