Mercedes-Benz to donate a further six million euros to children and families in Ukraine by 2026

• The donation will benefit the ongoing "Rebuilding Hope" project of "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit".
• In addition to providing vital first aid, the organization also carries out trauma education work for children and young people on site.
• In total, the company's donations made and pledged in cash and in kind for Ukraine aid since 2022 amount to around 13 million euros.

Mercedes-Benz is once again expanding its commitment to victims of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: Over the next three years, the company will donate a total of six million euros to "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit" for the "Rebuilding Hope" project. The company has already provided two million euros for the initiative since 2022. In addition to the construction of a social center, medical care and the distribution of hygiene articles and food, the initiative focuses on trauma education. The aim is to alleviate the serious consequences of the war for children, young people and families in the regions around Bucha and Kyiv. The support includes special educational programs and the creation of child-friendly spaces. 

"With this new donation of six million euros, we want to make a long-term contribution to alleviating the suffering caused by the war of aggression in Ukraine. "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit" is an experienced and locally well-connected organization that in particular helps children and their families with the "Rebuilding Hope" project. For Mercedes-Benz, supporting the people of Ukraine is a question of attitude." 
Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Integrity, Governance & Sustainability

With the financial support of Mercedes-Benz, "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit" has so far been able to help over 2,300 families and more than 3,800 children and young people. Thanks to the deployment of mobile teams, committed experts can provide vital assistance even in regions that are difficult to reach. With the current donation pledge, "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit" plans to significantly expand its support on the ground and reach at least 48,000 affected people in the regions around Bucha, Kyiv, Fastiv and Chernihiv by 2026.

Help for the People of Ukraine

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Mercedes-Benz has been supporting people in and from Ukraine. In total, donations made and pledged in cash and in kind for Ukraine aid amount to around 13 million euros. At the beginning of the war, for example, Mercedes-Benz donated one million euros to the German Red Cross (DRK) to support emergency humanitarian aid on the ground. In addition, there was a donation of two million euros in 2022/23 and now another six million euros to "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit" for the "Rebuilding Hope" project. In addition to these monetary donations, the company presented 64 vehicles worth more than 3.7 million euros to the "DRK", "Caritas" and "SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit". Numerous national and Group member companies around the world have also made donations and shown their solidarity with the people in and from Ukraine: The aid ranges from in-kind and food donations to support in the transportation of refugees and the provision of supplies.

Mercedes-Benz Corporate Citizenship Commitment

As a global company, Mercedes-Benz wants to make a positive contribution to society that goes beyond its own business activities. As part of its corporate citizenship commitment, the company supports projects that promote ecological sustainability and/or work to strengthen the community. Mercedes-Benz also makes relevant contributions to disaster relief. The donation of six million euros comes from the proceeds of the auction of a 1955 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for the record sum of 135 million euros. Another initiative that is financed from the proceeds of the auction with donations is "beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship". The program is implemented independently by the non-profit The DO School Fellowships.