SPAIN/UKRAINE. Leading travel restaurateur and retailer Areas has partnered with the Red Cross to provide food and drink at refugee welcome points set up by the non-profit organisation at airports, train stations, and motorways.
The company will supply refugees and volunteers involved in the reception process. The partnership was established through coordination by Areas with airport, motorway and train station authorities.
The initiative began today at Sants station in Barcelona, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport and the Empordà motorway service area, and is expected to soon be extended to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and other points in Spain.
Outside the country, Areas is already implementing an initiative in France, at the Paris-Gare de l’Est train station, and is aiming, via the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to expand the initiative to Germany, Italy and Portugal.
Areas CEO Oscar Vela said: “The company has a large responsibility as it is present in Europe’s leading communication hubs that attract not only Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country but also volunteers lending their aid. As restaurant operators at airports, train stations, and services areas we believe we must rise to the present circumstances and provide our aid to all the authorities that manage the arrival of these refugees in our countries.
“We provide them with food and drink, but we also share the core value of all our partners and employees, being ready to offer their human warmth and tradition of welcoming people who are going through something that is having an enormous impact on their lives.”
Areas will offer the Red Cross the food and drink needed when refugees reach Spain from Ukraine at various reception, referral and accommodation facilities. The humanitarian organisation is coordinating the reception of flights at Barcelona El Prat Airport, and said that major stations such as Barcelona-Sants will see footfall of up to 800 people a day between refugees and volunteers.
At points close to the French border, such as the Empordà services area, the figure could be around 100 people arriving by coach being attended by the NGO.
Through its outlets and with the collaboration of suppliers such as Europastry and García de Pou, Areas has no specific planned end date for the initiative. It will be implemented in line with the development of the armed conflict.
*As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report has announced Travel Retail United – a fundraising project to help provide emergency relief for the displaced women, men and children of Ukraine.
All revenues raised will go to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal in association with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and Care International. Donations will help Ukrainian families with food, water, hygiene items and other vital supplies.
The initiative has gained strong industry support, with a special publication to appear in April. We have also added a Just Giving page to make donations simpler (they can be anonymous or named).
Click here to find out how you can get involved.
