“Our primary objective is to support SPAR Ukraine with the procurement and delivery of essential supplies, as it continues to open and operate stores in the most challenging of circumstances,” said a group spokesperson. “Presently, 95% of the SPAR stores in Western Ukraine remain open, with many operating significantly reduced opening hours.”

SPAR Ukraine has been a member of SPAR International since 2001. It is wholly Ukrainian owned and operated, and strongly embedded in the communities it serves, operating 65 SPAR supermarkets across Ukraine from Kharkiv in the east to Lviv in the west.

To enable SPAR Ukraine to maintain supply, a fund has been established by SPAR International, strongly supported by SPAR country organisations. This fund will assist SPAR Ukraine to procure products locally from existing sources of supply.

With a strong SPAR presence in central and eastern Europe, SPAR International is also working with colleagues in the neighbouring countries to establish supply of essential goods for distribution to SPAR Ukraine’s distribution centre located 100km inland from the Polish border.

In addition, SPAR International is encouraging donations to worldwide relief agency Malteser International to help the victims of the war in Ukraine. INTERSPAR Austria is supporting the SOS Children’s Villages’ Ukraine emergency aid programme with a donation of €10,000. SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children without parental care and families at risk.