German carmaker Audi is making one million euros (Rs 7.6 crore) in emergency aid available for refugees. The company is using the funds to support aid initiatives at its production sites in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm, Brussels and Győr.
“We have been shocked by the great suffering of the refugees in Europe,” said Rupert Stadler, chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. “People at our doorsteps are in need – and we therefore want to offer help quickly and avoid red tape.” The money from the corporate donation will flow to local aid projects at the Audi production sites.
“ We are aware of how dramatically the situation of the refugees has developed locally,” said Thomas Sigi, Board Member for Human Resources, who added: “With the emergency aid we are trying to show our solidarity as well as practice social responsibility at our corporate sites.”
Audi General Works Council Chairman Peter Mosch: “We must not and we will not stand passively by when it comes to helping our fellow human beings in this desperate situation. We Audi employees are always there to help when it's important – and it's more important now than ever before.”
Through the Audi Volunteers (‘Audi Ehrensache’) initiative, employees can now suggest regional projects they would like to implement in cooperation with charitable organisations. The Corporate Responsibility committees at each site will subsequently decide how to distribute the funds. The company has long supported its employees in their efforts to help refugees. Volunteers recently renovated homes for underage migrants and organized excursions for refugee children.
The automobile manufacturer says it is also considering ways to offer refugees long‑term job prospects. The goal is to design the efforts to be both targeted and sustainable. Intensive discussions for this are currently underway.