Socially responsible companies’ response to COVID-19

Wpis dostępny jest także w języku: polski

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, and the prospect of a big health crisis, as well as an economic one, has become a real challenge for society and companies. In recent years, the pro-social activities of companies have focused on the subject of environmental protection. This year, businesses have taken special care of the medical community.

Financial support from business

In April, the Polish business sector contributed a total of over PLN 70 million (€16 million) to the fight against COVID-19 in the form of direct financial support and the purchase of necessary equipment for medical personnel. In March the figure was over PLN 100 million (€23 million). The largest financial assistance in March was provided by PKN Orlen – over PLN 60 million (€13 million). In April, 25% of identified companies decided to provide direct financial support, 18% less compared to March.

Polish companies help in fight with COVID-19

The initiatives of companies that offer not only financial assistance are worthy of mention. These include: IKEA, Eurocash, Hortex, Facebook, Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, Maczfit, KFC, Burger King Polska, Pizza Hut and Starbucks Polska. These companies have created actions to pay for meals for doctors and other health care workers – “Meals for doctors” and “We call for meals”. IKEA (Ingka Group) has also decided to provide emergency aid in the form of donations worth €26 million. They focus on delivering the most necessary things, such as  beds, bedding, food and toys to hospitals, medical centres and shelters.

LPP, the Polish fashion retailer that owns brands such as Reserved, Mohito, Cropp, House, or Sinsay, has already spent nearly PLN 5.7 million (€1.3 million) to help fight the coronavirus, donating, among other things, one million protective masks for over 300 medical facilities throughout Poland.

Herbapol Lublin, together with Polpharma, delivers over 500 meals with syrups, teas and herbal drinks to Warsaw hospitals and ambulance depots every day. Eurocash Group, apart from supplying 80,000 grocery store owners, involved 100 supermarkets in their “abc on wheels” initiative to provide food for the elderly.

O autorze

Katarzyna Kuciel

Junior Analyst