Transat has launched a fundraising campaign to assist SOS Children's Villages, a long-time charitable partner that has rapidly scaled up its response in Ukraine to meet the critical needs of half a million vulnerable children and families affected by the conflict.
As well as a $25,000 corporate donation, the campaign is seeking contributions from Transat employees as well as those of the nearly 300 travel agencies that make up its distribution network, representing 2,000 travel counsellors.
Air Transat passengers are also being invited to make a donation on board its flights. Customers and the general public can also donate in support of the organization's emergency response plan on the SOS Children's Villages portal dedicated to this fundraising campaign.
"This conflict is shattering the lives of millions of innocent people, especially children, and that resonates deeply with us," said Transat President and Chief Executive Officer Annick Guérard.
"We have always been strongly committed to the protection of children and we are eager to support SOS Children's Villages' emergency response to those internally displaced in Ukraine, as well those Ukrainians who have fled the country."
Guérard added: "We invite our teams, our customers and the public to demonstrate their strongest support for the Ukrainian people, whose needs are immense, by joining us in this gesture of solidarity."
SOS Children's Villages is responding to the immediate critical needs in Ukraine by providing safe shelter, food items, medical supplies, hygiene kits, education materials, as well as psychosocial and mental health support.
In addition, SOS is working with other humanitarian agencies to assist and reunify children who have been separated from their families. SOS Children's Villages has been helping children and families in Ukraine since 2003.
"SOS Children's Villages was founded to support children who lost everything during the Second World War in Europe, and now works in more than 130 countries. Beyond providing shelter and food, SOS Children's Villages focuses on building the trust and warmth of strong human connections. In all things we are on the side of children," said SOS Children's Villages Canada President and CEO Thomas Bauer. "We will continue to protect children from the horror of war."
Over the years, Transat has supported numerous humanitarian operations by SOS Children's Villages and other charitable organizations in emergency situations, including in Canada, Haiti and other countries where Transat operates. Transat says it will strengthen its commitment to SOS Children's Villages by contributing $25,000 to this campaign.
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