Today in the FinTech Ukraine Daily: Crisis Response Charity CORE Distributes Cash to Ukrainian Refugees

With more than 4 million Ukrainians displaced by the war, humanitarian aid is urgently needed.

In response, the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) announced Wednesday (April 13) that it has launched a Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Cash Assistance Program in partnership with EML Payments Ltd., Mastercard, the Stichting Giustra International Foundation, Tommy Humphreys and the Parker Foundation.

CORE, a global crisis response organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities in crisis, was founded by actor Sean Penn and Ann Lee.

“After lives have been upended so abruptly and violently, we want to give agency to Ukrainian families to make the best choices for themselves as they navigate this humanitarian crisis,” Lee, who is also the CEO of CORE, said in a statement.

The charity and Mastercard have combined resources to foster a cash assistance program with prepaid cards.

Starting today, 2,500 cards pre-loaded with €150 ($163) are being distributed to refugees fleeing Ukraine to bordering countries. The funds make it possible for families to purchase supplies and shelter in the region.

After the initial distribution, CORE and its partners said they will provide thousands more prepaid cards to continue supporting refugees as the war unfolds.

“As the humanitarian emergency in the Ukraine continues to unfold, we are partnering with CORE and EML to quickly mobilize this prepaid card relief program, which will disperse funding and humanitarian aid directly into the hand of refugees,” said Solveig Hatton, senior vice president of government engagement at Mastercard Europe. “By delivering aid in the form of money on a card, we can provide payment security and flexibility to those most in need.”