USAID, HP Inc., Microsoft, and the Global Business Coalition for Education Deliver Laptops to Ukrainian Students
Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) delivered 5,000 laptops donated by HP Inc. to support education for internally displaced Ukrainians. USAID/Ukraine Mission Director James Hope joined Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Maryna Popatenko for the handover of the devices in Kyiv.
The devices were donated as part of HP’s Digital Equity for Ukraine initiative, a $30 million partnership with the Global Business Coalition for Education that will bring more than 74,000 laptop devices to internally displaced Ukrainians and Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries. Microsoft has also donated software for the laptops. The donation is a result of USAID’s active engagement with the private sector to support Ukraine, including to help fill a critical need for laptops so that Ukrainian youth can continue learning during wartime.
Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine has created tremendous challenges for educators and students across the country. Thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed and according to UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children, up to 2.8 million children have been displaced from their homes. Although distance learning resumed two weeks after the full-scale invasion began, many young people struggle to access remote education options due to a shortage of devices and, increasingly, Russia’s strikes against civilian infrastructure. According to the Ukraine’s Ministry of Education & Science, as of October 25th, there was a national shortage of 175,000 laptops and 202,000 tablets.
HP’s donation of laptops and Microsoft’s donation of software for the devices will enable more Ukrainian students to connect with teachers and continue their education remotely. The laptops will be distributed by USAID’s Ukraine National Identity through Youth (UNITY) program in partnership with SpivDiia. SpivDiia is a leading Ukrainian youth organization that has united volunteers, government, and businesses to provide humanitarian aid and support services to civilians affected by the war through its online platform and network of 24 youth centers and youth-serving organizations, matching people in need with resources and institutions that can help.