ADECCO : FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS TO HELP PEOPLE AFFECTED BY ARMED CONFLICT

The Adecco Group Foundation will join the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) Corporate Support Group, with both organisations working together to drive social inclusion and the reintegration of people with a disability into the labour market in areas affected by armed conflict.

The initial three-year collaboration will focus on supporting and growing the ICRC's Physical Rehabilitation Programme (PRP). This programme uses sport to enable the rehabilitation and social inclusion of people with an impairment, and aims to complement their physical and mental progress with career counselling and labour market inclusion. The PRP is already underway in countries including India, Thailand, Afghanistan and South Sudan, as well as Gaza, with ambitions to expand to other territories.

The Adecco Group is committed to making the future work for everyone. Collaborating with the ICRC's Sport and Inclusion Advisor, Jess Markt, the Adecco Group Foundation will bring its expertise in training, employment and skills to accelerate the impact and increase the reach of the PRP. The Foundation will draw on the long history of the Adecco Group's work with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), helping elite athletes prepare for life beyond sports through the IPC Athlete Career Programme.

'Today's humanitarian challenges are immense, causing suffering for many millions of men, women and children around the world,' said Yves Daccord, ICRC Director General. 'I believe that by partnering up with the Adecco Group Foundation, we have reached a cornerstone in our engagement with the private sector. With this partnership, the ICRC will be in a better position to effectively respond to the vastly growing needs of people affected by armed conflict. The fact that today we are capable of engaging with companies that have expert knowledge in areas we can leverage is a key step and an essential achievement for the ICRC.'

'It is a huge honour for the Adecco Group Foundation to be able to support the vital work of the ICRC as a member of its Corporate Support Group,' explained Alain Dehaze, CEO of the Adecco Group. 'We hope this important partnership will make a big difference in the lives of many people living in conflict zones and challenging environments around the world. Specifically, we want to help people with physical disabilities be active and contributing members of society, so that they can reach their full potential.'

The partnership between the ICRC and the Adecco Group Foundation is expected to develop in the years ahead to tackle other issues such as the changing staffing needs of humanitarian organisations, capacity building through employee exchange programmes, and the evolution and expanding professionalisation of the humanitarian sector.