Refugees arrive in Lesbos, Greece, via boat from Turkey
TRIPADVISOR will contribute at least US$5 million from the TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation to aid the humanitarian refugee crisis, an announcement made ahead of the White House’s Private Sector Call to Action Roundtable that took place at the UN Headquarters yesterday.
For its initial contribution, the foundation will expand its partnership with The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Mercy Corps, providing US$1 million over two years to each organisation.
Additionally, the company has committed to providing in-kind support in multiple areas through its TripAdvisor Media Group.
The company’s contributions seek to address four key areas identified: meeting urgent humanitarian needs in Europe and the Syria region; enabling access to critical information via technology solutions for refugees to make smart and informed decisions along their journey; providing essential education and empowerment opportunities for refugee youth; and supporting and strengthening resettlement opportunities in the US, and in other host communities.
“Last summer as thousands of refugees arrived on the shores of Greece, TripAdvisor was one of the first companies to respond with relief support, also raising the profile of the crisis with their millions of subscribers worldwide,” said David Miliband, president and CEO of IRC.
“TripAdvisor’s leadership in the travel sector and continued investment will be invaluable in addressing the needs of refugees.”
Nevertheless, Steve Kaufer, CEO of TripAdvisor, acknowledged: “No single company or organisation can tackle this crisis singlehandedly and our (contribution) is only a small fraction of what is desperately needed.
“With the state of the issue, governments around the world need to do more to find and implement lasting solutions; however, it’s incumbent upon the private sector to leverage our unique expertise, resources and capabilities in partnership with nonprofit organisations.”
TripAdvisor first made a donation to both IRC and Mercy Corps through its foundation one year ago.
