Living Our Values Through Pfizer’s Refugee Initiatives

According to the United Nations, 120 million people are expected to be forcibly displaced worldwide by 2025. This is a record level of displacement. Despite the scale of the crisis, only a small fraction, 1% of these individuals, are resettled into permanent homes, leaving the vast majority in a state of limbo.

Pfizer's commitment to supporting refugees is a cornerstone of our corporate responsibility. Payal Sahni Becher, Chief People Experience Officer, was a refugee from Afghanistan and highlighted the transformative power of mentorship and the profound difference it can make.

“When you help a refugee, you have a multigenerational impact,” Payal said. “Pfizer gave me a chance and that changed the life of my parents, it changed the lives of my uncles and aunts, and it’s changed the life of my daughter.”

To recognize World Refugee Day on July 20th, Pfizer held our third annual World Refugee Day Broadcast, where Mary Maker delivered the keynote address. In her address, Mary shared her powerful story of fleeing violence in her home country of South Sudan.

When she was just four years old, Mary and her family made their way to a refugee camp in Kenya that houses 300,000 displaced people. In 2019, against the odds, Mary resettled into her new home in the United States. Today, she’s a Goodwill Ambassador with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN’s refugee agency.

During her keynote speech, Mary praised Pfizer for setting an example by hiring refugees in increasing numbers.

“I have so much hope in organizations like Pfizer that are able to employ refugees. Private sectors have the most power in changing policies around refugees because they don’t have layers of bureaucracies that governments have. There's always so much to do like tutoring, giving driving lessons, or helping them learn how to shop,” she said. “Educate yourself about refugees. How can you be a good Samaritan and make them feel welcome in your church, mosque, or any kind of space that you're inhabiting? Refugees have so much talent and so much to bring to every kind of community.”

The broadcast highlighted Pfizer’s efforts in Europe, where we've been actively supporting refugees from conflict zones with a focus on employment and mentorship. Our Ascoli, Italy Pfizer Global Supply (PGS) site was awarded the prestigious UNHCR Refugee Award for the second year running, demonstrating our dedication to supporting displaced people and fostering a better life.

The Pfizer Foundation leads emergency humanitarian and disaster response on behalf of Pfizer and plays an important role in addressing immediate emergency and health needs when crisis strikes around the world. The Pfizer Foundation provides funding and expertise to leading humanitarian organizations around the world, including UNHCR, to improve access to critical supplies, health services and protection of vulnerable communities as well as support colleague contributions to these efforts through Pfizer Foundation Disaster Campaigns that match colleague donations to organizations supporting communities in need.

In solidarity with Mary Maker and countless other refugees facing unprecedented displacement, Pfizer is dedicated to offering more than aid in the form of medicines, vaccines, and financial donations; —our global partnerships and employee-driven efforts are an integral part of our mission to ensure that displaced people have a chance for a healthier, dignified future.