A number of direct selling companies released statements this week announcing their efforts to provide relief for the people of Ukraine as well as strong declarations denouncing Russia’s actions.
4Life continues to provide support to The Children’s Home in Ukraine, a specialized institution in Boyarka, Ukraine that houses more than 100 children, that the company has partnered with for more than a decade. Currently, 4Life’s Ukrainian leaders Irina Bolshakova, Grigoriy Kravchenko, and other 4Life distributors are taking refuge with the children in the institution’s basement to help them survive and stay safe during the air raids. The company’s executive team says it is in constant contact with Ukrainian friends and business partners, and is strategizing ways to provide ongoing support to those suffering in Ukraine.
Young Living described the situation as “nothing short of a nightmare for the people of Ukraine and peace-loving people everywhere,” and declared that the company unequivocally stands with Ukraine and condemns the war. The company detailed the ways it is providing relief, including advanced salary payments to employees and pre-war level commissions to brand partners in Ukraine; care package deliveries; transportation for staff members and their families seeking to evacuate Ukraine; and providing basic hygiene supplies for the people flooding into neighboring countries. The Young Living Foundation is also partnering with Asociatia Casa Share and British Ukraine Aid to support displaced families and matching donations up to $100,000.
Nu Skin described the tragedy in Ukraine as “devastating” and announced suspended business operations in Russia effective immediately.
Amway stated that its priority is the safety of all Amway employees and Amway distributors in Ukraine. Its teams across the globe have assembled donations of supplies and money for Global Impact’s Ukraine Relief Fund, UNICEF, hospitals and shelters in Ukraine, as well as direct donations to employees in desperate need of safe passage and necessities. The company’s U.S.-based World Headquarters, as well as other Amway markets, will be matching these donations without limits.
Herbalife released a statement condemning the war in Ukraine and calling for peace. While the company does not have any manufacturing operations in Russia, it does have approximately 44,000 active distributors in the country. Herbalife has now suspended operations in all 62 sales centers in Russia, will no longer ship products to the country, and any profit gained from the Russian market will be donated to organizations supporting Ukrainian refugees. Herbalife’s philanthropic organization, Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, will continue its efforts to raise funds to support Save The Children’s Ukrainian Refugee Initiative.
Natura &Co, the group owner of The Body Shop, Aesop and Avon International, has made significant donations to relief organizations that are on the ground in Ukraine, including the Red Cross, and is also donating products to refugees. The group has suspended operations in Russia for both The Body Shop and Aesop, and is suspending exports for Avon while it continues to support social selling operations for its representatives through its local plant to provide financial support.
Southwestern Family of Companies made an immediate corporate donation of $100,000 to supply aid to families, fund relief and defense efforts in Ukraine, and directly support several of the company’s student members who are currently separated from their families and stranded in Ukraine. A portion of donations will be given to a Southwestern Advantage and Southwestern Family of Companies partner, SOS Children’s Village in Warsaw, Poland, that has been receiving refugee children from Ukraine. Southwestern Advantage President Dan Moore is traveling to Poland in March to volunteer and help distribute supplies.
MONAT Global Corp has committed to provide aid through the Polish Humanitarian Action and International Rescue Committee, committing to match all donations up to $50,000. This matching gift initiative follows the company’s initial contribution of $10,000 to Polish Humanitarian Action. The company is also donating 100% of sales in Europe from its More than a Lather by MONAT product to relief efforts, providing essential hygiene products to refugees, and giving its Poland-based employees time to volunteer to support relief efforts.
Oriflame released a memo stating that its “main priority is to provide personal safety and every possible support to our employees and their families, as well as to help our brand partners and people in Ukraine.” Oriflame operations in Ukraine have been closed to ensure safety for the company’s 115 employees there and, effective immediately, the company has ceased manufacturing in Russia as well as product exports from Russia. Oriflame originally decided to keep its Russian social selling business open to support the distributors for whom Oriflame is their only source of income, but the ongoing conflict as well as operational and legal challenges have made it impossible to continue in its current form. The company has since suspended investments, marketing, training and events in Russia. Online sales to end consumers in Russia have also been suspended.
