Today in the FinTech Ukraine Daily: Amazon Offers Employment Support for Refugees; Credit Union Refugee Fund Nears $500K in Donations

Amazon

Amazon.com has launched an employment support program for refugees of the war in Ukraine, the eCommerce giant announced.

The “Welcome Door” initiative promises resources and support for refugee and humanitarian-based immigrant employees, including a citizenship assistance portal, free legal help and mentorship.

As part of the project, Amazon said it will reimburse employees for their cost of work document fees. Employees will also have access to skill training, including free college tuition and English as a Second Language training.

“At Amazon, we have a variety of jobs and welcome all kinds of people, and we’re proud to offer enhanced support for refugees around the world,” said Ofori Agboka, an Amazon vice president, in a statement.

The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) reported that credit unions and related organizations had donated $480,000 to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund since it was launched on Feb. 27, The Credit Union Times reported.

“The generosity of our U.S. and international credit union communities has been overwhelming,” said WFCU Executive Director Mike Reuter in a statement.

On March 15, the first $50,000 from the fund was provided to the Podolsk Regional Development Agency, a Ukrainian agency that is providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of refugees from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Kherson, Melitopol and other cities who are seeking refuge in the Vinnytsia region of western Ukraine.

The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and the California Credit Union each contributed $100,000. Nearly 20 credit unions had donated or pledged at least $10,000 to the fund.