A Fund Rooted in Responsibility
The Chairman’s Fund was established with a simple but vital purpose: to recognise the loyalty of our people and provide a safety net when circumstances fall outside the protections of contracts or insurance. At IDG, we operate in regions where unpredictability is part of daily life. Fragile healthcare systems, natural disasters, and conflict zones are all realities for our personnel. While our employment terms are designed to be fair and comprehensive, they cannot always anticipate extraordinary situations.
The Chairman’s Fund exists to bridge that gap. It provides timely and targeted financial assistance when individuals face hardship, illness, or catastrophe that lies beyond the scope of traditional support systems. For IDG, this is not about grand gestures or recognition – it is about living up to the principle that loyalty runs both ways. When our people stand by us, we stand by them.
Supporting in Times of Catastrophe
Natural disasters often hit hardest in the very countries where IDG is most active, where infrastructure is fragile and resilience is thin. Earthquakes in Afghanistan and Myanmar have devastated housing and displaced communities. In these moments, the Fund has stepped in to provide financial aid to personnel and their families directly affected.
This support is not about external optics or public relations; it is a matter of responsibility. As a company that operates within these environments, IDG recognises a duty to give back, to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to our mission are not left to shoulder the burden alone when disaster strikes. The Chairman’s Fund allows us to respond quickly, cutting through bureaucracy to deliver assistance when it is most urgently needed.
Extending a Lifeline for Critical Illness
The Fund also plays a crucial role in supporting staff through serious health challenges, particularly in places where medical infrastructure is fragile or inaccessible. One example is that of a local Somali supervisor based in Baidoa, Somalia, who after five years of dedication, developed a serious and worrying tumour. Normal occupational insurance offered no cover. The team were also concerned about the level of advanced care available locally.
They reached out to the Chairman’s Fund which immediately agreed to provide the necessary financial support to cover flights to Mogadishu, medical costs, and ongoing care over several weeks of treatment. This intervention allowed the supervisor to focus entirely on his recovery without the additional weight of financial strain. Happily, he made a strong recovery and returned to his family in Baidoa. Without the Fund, access to the right treatment would have been unlikely. The family would have been under significant financial strain to cover better care. A situation IDG was not prepared to accept and offered support without hesitation.
Responding to Global Health Crises
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unique challenges, particularly for expatriate staff working far from home. One Gurkha guard serving in Afghanistan became critically ill at a time when Nepal, his home country, had closed its borders to all travellers, including its own citizens. His condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring immediate intensive care.
Initial insurance provided evacuation and treatment however, as there was no possibility for him to enter Nepal, this was quickly exhausted. When it was clear that extended care was needed, the Chairman’s Fund stepped in. He was first transported from Afghanistan to E Africa, before being transferred again to Germany, where extended care facilities were available. The medical flights, hospital care, and logistics came at enormous cost, but for IDG and its Chairman, the decision was non-negotiable: the wellbeing of our people comes first. Eventually, after months of care and once borders reopened, he was able to return safely to Nepal.
A Quiet but Firm Commitment
The Chairman’s Fund is not about publicity. It is not about headlines or accolades. Its purpose is quiet but resolute: to protect those who dedicate their lives to IDG’s mission when unforeseen challenges arise. Whether through disaster relief, emergency medical care, or simply offering a safety net where systems fail, the Fund reflects a principle that has always guided IDG; that loyalty is mutual.
By ensuring that our people and their families are supported in their greatest times of need, the Chairman’s Fund strengthens the bonds of trust that define our organisation. It is a reminder that, even in the most complex and difficult environments, there is a place for compassion, responsibility, and humanity at the heart of security work.
