icrc-annual-report-2013

STAFF HEALTHThe Staff Health Unit was closely involved in the management ofa number of serious security incidents and four separate hostagecrises, implementing stress prevention and management measuresto support colleagues in the field and at headquarters.An increased focus on preventive measures and awareness-raisingamong field staff with physical or mental health disorders led toan initial reduction in medical evacuations and overall sick leave.Recommendations were issued for the management of residents’complex health problems, and a vaccination programme was initiatedat local level, with over 4,000 residents and their familiesbeing vaccinated.Addressing one of several new challenges, the unit issued preventionand treatment guidelines for ICRC employees potentiallyexposed to chemical weapons in Syria. Thanks to thecontinued expansion of the HIV workplace programme, over60% of residents in 31 countries checked their HIV status in 2013.The programme aimed to protect the employees from stigma/discrimination and to reduce new HIV infections and HIV-relateddeaths to zero. An initial step was taken towards a single workforcehealth unit with the training of elected resident health focal pointsin critical incident stress management and employee support.CAREER TRANSITIONFollowing the liquidation of the Avenir Foundation, the CareerAdvisory Service merged with the Learning and DevelopmentDivision in order to provide support for the implementation ofthe new Individual Development budget (see above).78 | ICRC ANNUAL REPORT 2013