Tech For Refugees has announced that it will provide a $6 million grant to one of its partners, Flexport.org. The funding will support refugees from Pakistan, Ukraine, and the Horn of Africa. It will also extend to those in global crisis areas, including people living in the aftermath of the Turkish and Syrian earthquakes.
Julia and Yuri Milner founded Tech For Refugees in 2022. The initiative receives funding from their charitable organization, the Breakthrough Prize Foundation . The Milners established the Breakthrough Prize Foundation to fulfill their Giving Pledge: a promise to donate most of their lifetime wealth to charitable causes.
A Partnership With Global Impact
Tech For Refugees first partnered with Flexport.org in April 2022. This non-profit organization uses technology to build networks that make logistics a positive force for social and environmental good.
In October 2022, Tech For Refugees and Flexport.org announced an $8 million grant. Flexport.org used this fund to transport humanitarian aid shipments worth $50 million, working with 25 relief organizations to assist 4 million refugees.
Flexport.org Assistance for Ukraine
Around $30 million worth of aid from the initial funding went to those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. This assistance included essential food, medicine, medical equipment, and “dignity kits” comprising health, hygiene, and personal safety supplies.
Giving Pledge signatories Julia and Yuri Milner have spoken of their devastation at the suffering of the Ukrainian people and their hopes of providing practical assistance in times of turmoil.
Flexport.org Assistance for the Horn of Africa
The conflict in Ukraine has also impacted the world’s food supplies. Tech For Refugees and Flexport.org have addressed this disruption through shipments benefiting one million people in the Horn of Africa.
Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) formed a crucial part of the aid. This life-saving food product prevents wasting in children, a condition that occurs as a result of severe malnutrition.
The relief programs funded by Yuri Milner’s tech-driven initiative initially operated in Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Eritrea. As Flexport.org’s partners indicated urgent needs, the organization extended the project to Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Flexport.org Assistance for Pakistan
The Tech For Refugees funding also afforded a $10 million relief project in Pakistan. The Flexport.org initiative helped one million people affected by disastrous flooding in the region.
Giving Pledge signatory Yuri Milner has expressed his approval of Flexport.org’s efforts. He hopes the program will continue to benefit many more worldwide.
Tech For Refugees’ Current Partnerships
Flexport.org is one of several technology companies that Tech For Refugees currently funds. Other active partners include Airbnb.org, Spotify, Welcome.US, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Tech For Refugees is open to new partnerships with technology organizations to help broaden the scope of its global relief efforts.
Learn more about Tech For Refugees’ partnerships.
About Yuri Milner
Yuri Milner is an Israeli investor whose work focuses on science philanthropy and internet technology. He is the co-founder of the Breakthrough Prize, the world’s most substantial annual scientific award. He has also launched the Breakthrough Initiatives, a set of pioneering space science programs. He funds these enterprises, among many others, through his charitable organization, the Breakthrough Prize Foundation .
As part of his Giving Pledge, Yuri Milner has committed to supporting scientific endeavors and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
