Oil giant Total has joined forces with other large companies Air Liquide, Michelin, Sodexo and Total to assist refugees being resettled in France.
Total said the initiative was driven by the solidarity felt by employees and management of the companies for the refugees, mostly coming from Africa and the Middle East, and their suffering.
The companies will, within a framework to be established by the French government, assist refugees through “tangible actions related to their respective businesses, expertise, capabilities and operational resources”.
Total said the form this aid will take is being defined with humanitarian organisations, including the French Red Cross, and nonprofits.
Examples include making premises available, donating food and other essential supplies, providing access to health care, covering resettlement expenses or providing professional support and training.
The corporate foundations of some of these companies are also supporting the nonprofits that are helping the refugees.
In addition, Air Liquide, Michelin, Sodexo and Total are considering actions in other European countries, notably Germany.