We are starting a new week, all mobilised and vigilant in the face of the pandemic that is hitting us today, and affecting us IRDians in particular, who work mainly in tropical and Mediterranean regions. This global crisis spares none of us.
The first thing I'd like to say to you is to take care of yourself, your family and your loved ones, wherever you may be. Scrupulously respect the health instructions issued by the authorities, and keep contact and travel to the strict minimum. This is vital if we are to protect the most vulnerable among us and our ability to provide care.
When I took office, my first decision was to guarantee the day-to-day running of the Institute by reinstating the delegations of signature that automatically fell away with the appointment of a new CEO. My second major decision was to appoint a new Deputy CEO, Corinne Brunon-Meunier, from the diplomatic world. I also confirmed Isabelle Benoist in her role as General Secretary. Another recent decision was to appoint Philippe Charvis as Deputy Director for Science.
These decisions are a great help to us today as we face a difficult and rapidly changing situation over the last ten days. The daily link with our supervisory bodies, in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is invaluable in managing our network abroad and supporting our colleagues, whether they are on assignment, on mission or on work experience.
The support of Philippe Charvis is also particularly important in taking the necessary decisions when the urgency of the situation has to be reconciled with the imperatives of scientific research.
Alongside us, I have set up a central crisis unit which, under the coordination of the General Secretariat, is mobilising support, scientific, prevention, safety, health, HR and communications expertise. Together, we are dealing with the situation in liaison with all the unit and head office directors, representatives and regional delegates, and we are doing our best to respond to your questions and difficulties.
The situation has now stabilised. All sites in mainland France are closed. Access to the sites is strictly restricted to the implementation of business continuity plans and the maintenance of research activities on COVID-19 and similar epidemics. Our representations are also closed or in the process of being closed. The vast majority of you are teleworking.
I know that for all of us, working conditions are sometimes difficult. Many of us have to reconcile work and family life in the same space and at the same time, or are far from our loved ones. It's a challenge, and I'm fully aware of it. With the teams around me, we are doing everything we can to inform you, support you, reassure you and ensure that you can maintain links with each other, with your managers and with your teams. All the directors are aware of this and have been alerted to it. Do not hesitate to contact your manager on a regular basis to discuss your activities and to inform him or her of any difficulties you may be experiencing.
Continuing our work, to the best of our ability, is vital for the Institute, for the long-term survival of the original model of equitable scientific partnership that we are promoting. Many of our teams are involved in Covid-19 research. I would like to thank them most sincerely and express my gratitude and admiration.
It is also crucial to maintain links with our partners, particularly in the South, so that together we can tackle this epidemic that affects us all. In this respect, we have a duty to show solidarity and to set an example.
Our research, expertise, training and knowledge-sharing missions, and our model of equitable partnership, are essential keys to devising solutions tailored to the challenges we face today, and which we are facing together.
Thank you to all of you, who are working hard, each in your own area, to ensure that our Institute continues to fulfil its missions in these circumstances of crisis on an exceptional scale.
Kindness, solidarity, listening, links and partnership are our main assets in pursuing our mission in these difficult times.
We are all united to get through this ordeal,
Valérie Verdier
Chief Executive Officer