Uber to offer free rides to teachers and vulnerable families in UNESCO partnership

Ride-hailing and food delivery app Uber have joined forces with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and its partners to help protect the right to education during the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Uber have announced that they will offer free rides to teachers and families in need and enable the delivery of meals and back to school kits to the hardest hit students. 

This week the firm are launching its first initiative in support of the coalition’s objectives: delivering 400,000 meals and food parcels to more than 4,000 families in need across 6 countries – UK, Kenya, Mexico, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica. 

As a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles, Uber have pledged to promote equality and advocacy through community initiatives. In the coming months Uber will work with UNESCO and local partners in many countries around the globe to offer the following:

• Free rides for members of vulnerable families wishing to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, or other places of cultural significance.

• Free rides for teachers as schools reopen.

• Back-to-school kits for vulnerable families.

Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant-Director General for Education, said: “This pandemic has amplified inequalities and we are committed to supporting vulnerable children and their families now and when schools reopen.

“We believe Uber’s initiatives under UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition will make a meaningful difference by providing vital support to children’s health and well-being and helping them and teachers get back to school.”