Six examples of how the tech industry is standing with Ukraine

Volunteers at IT recycling companies to influential tech tycoons are taking action to show solidarity with Ukraine amid Russia's invasion. CRN highlights six examples of how the tech industry is acting as a force for good.

Countless organisations have shown solidarity with Ukraine over the last few weeks, through either withdrawing their services in Russia, cutting ties with Russian organisations or through organising fundraisers to supprt humanitarian aid.

But the IT channel has also been doing its bit. Resellers, MSPs and distributors in the UK have proven that the industry can make a real difference, big or small, through either independent acts of kindness or coordinated charitable efforts.

CRN highlights some of the best examples of how the industry has shown solidarity with Ukraine:

1) Telefonica Tech cutting ties with Russian state-owned customer

The CEO of the UK and Ireland arm of IT services firm Telefonica Tech announced last week that the firm has cut ties with one of its customers that is majority owned by the Russian state.

Gazprom UK claims to provide more than a fifth of the UK's commercial gas and is one of the world's largest energy companies.

In a statement on LinkedIn, Hess said that it would be "inappropriate to continue our existing relationship" claiming that the decision represented a "small but significant moment of truth" for Telefonica Tech as a business.

"I am proud that, collectively, we as a senior management team have quickly united behind this decision, and I would also like to thank our colleagues in our Madrid Head Office for fully backing our decision to do this," he said.

2) GreensafeIT volunteer delivering humanitarian aid to Polish boarder

A volunteer from IT recycling company GreensafeIT has put himself forward to deliver a lorry full of donations from the UK to the Polish city of Poznan, his hometown.

Working with humanitarian aid charity Caritas, GreensafeIT drivers have been collecting donations as part of their working day and have managed to fill a 40-ft shipping container with vital supplies including sleeping bags, medical supplies, hygiene products, charged power banks and long-life food. GreensafeIT has since expanded to work with additional charities due to the "overwhelming response" from the industry.

The GreensafeIT volunteer will make the 21-hour journey on Friday 11 March.

3) Trend Micro's Rik Ferguson welcoming refugees into his home

Trend Micro's vice president of security research, Rik Ferguson, welcomed six refugees into his home last week as Ukrainians began to flee the country following the Russian invasion.

On LinkedIn, Ferguson said he welcomed six people, including a three-year old child, into his home in Warsaw, Poland.

"Last night, in literally ten minutes, my life went from watching desperate people boarding trains in Ukraine, on the 10pm news, to welcoming six of them into my home. From grandma to 3 year-old. My heart breaks for every one of them," his post reads.

4) N2S joins volunteers on ‘eight-day charitable collection drive'

IT lifecycle services firm N2S has taken part in an eight-day charitable collection drive to gather supplies for Ukraine.

Jack Gomarsall, director of N2S and father of former England Rugby star Andy Gomarsall, joined forces with Gina Long, founder of GeeWizz , a charity which supports disables and neurodivergent children and young adults across Suffolk and Norfolk.

Jack and his daughter, Emily, joined an "army of volunteers" on Saturday, using an N2S lorry to help deliver donations for Ukraine from a Tesco's in Martlesham. Hundreds of volunteers collected donations over the course of eight 18-hours days to fill six vans and 17 lorries to be sent to the Ukrainian border.

The duo delivered another 40ft truck to Felixstowe on Monday morning, with all of the goods collected departing for the Ukrainian border on Tuesday to be distributed to refugees by humanitarian workers.

"I'm so proud of my Dad, my niece and sister for getting involved in this epic effort. It happened after a chance encounter over a coffee at the FOLK Cafe and it all snowballed from there. Dad drove his lorry to multiple locations around Ipswich, before bringing everything back to Bury St. Edmunds for sorting and then off to Felixstowe for shipment to Ukraine," said Andy Gomarsall.

"It's wonderful that the N2S family was able to play a small part in the collection, but the real credit must go to Gina, to the GeeWizz charity and to the selfless people that worked 18 hour shifts to get everything sorted and packed for the people that need it."

5) Uni Systems offering employment across Europe for displaced refugees

Pan-European systems integrator Uni Systems has urged any Ukrainian citizens affected by the war to get in touch, claiming that the firm can offer IT positions across Europe - in Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, Italy and Spain.

The Athens-based company has also offered relocation assistance and support for anyone displaced by the crisis.

6) Michaell and Susan Dell donating $15m to support families in Ukraine

On LinkedIn, Michael Dell said he and his wife Susan Dell will donate $15m to support families in Ukraine through the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

Dell said that the foundation will work with organisations that can address medical needs as well as resettlement support for families leaving Ukraine.

"We have seen families in Ukraine go through unimaginable difficulties - including the loss of basic resources and medical care and having to flee their homes for safety with children and women being separated from the rest of the family. We feel an urgency to step in and help support the organizations on the ground that are providing relief for families," a statement on the Foundation's website reads.