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Global Travel Coalition backs vaccine access through the Go Give One campaign
© WHO / Blink Media – Nana Kofi Acquah
Vaccine inequity remains a serious global matter that requires a collective response, as we have just been reminded by news of the latest variant. Whilst it is encouraging to see that governments have stepped up, we believe this challenge also requires a global, coordinated, multi-sector response.
Our partnerships’ work sees us talking to a wide range of companies that want to make a real impact on global health. One sector alone cannot overcome the immense health challenges faced today and the WHO Foundation cannot achieve its mission without its partners. The aim of our partnerships can be financial or technical, with the purpose of mobilizing funding, engaging in innovation and co-creation, leveraging in-kind support, carrying out joint advocacy and awareness-raising, and building brand equity in support of WHO’s mission.
The travel industry already knows that when it comes to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and keeping the world moving safely, vaccines are proving to be a game-changer.
As part of our work to power vaccines through COVAX AMC, we have been talking to Collinson on how they can support vaccine access through our Go Give One campaign.
Collinson’s COVID testing initiative first launched in October last year and is now at several major UK airports . Listening to their experience, we were both inspired by the possibility of a Travel Coalition in recognition of how the industry can make a real difference.
The Global Travel Sector Vaccine Coalition officially launches this month, during Giving Season, and invites the industry to join the Go Give One campaign and use its collective reach to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are in the world, has access to a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Travel is one industry so heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic yet quickly adapted to serve customers through difficult times. We are thrilled to see such leadership to support vaccine equity with the Travel Coalition.” said Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation. “Only by working together- can we close the gap and ensure vaccines for everyone, everywhere”.
David Evans, Joint CEO at Collinson, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the WHO Foundation’s Go Give One campaign. The travel and tourism industry knows only too well how important it is for everyone, everywhere to have access to vaccines if we are to end the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen first-hand how our industry has had to adapt to ensure the safety of people and organisations in this new reality and are calling on the sector now to join us as part of the Travel Coalition. Speeding up vaccination programmes globally is a key factor in keeping the world moving safely”.
The Go Give One Campaign harnesses the power of companies to engage their employees, customers, partners, and networks to offer the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to vaccine equity. Campaign partners are making corporate or match donations, donating a portion of sales from a product line, engaging their employees or clients in campaigns, offering peer-to-peer challenges, using their network to scale vaccine equity messaging, and supporting in myriad other ways. The Travel Coalition is a great model to show how companies – even competitors! – can come together and build a healthier world.
To support the Go Give One campaign, visit http://gogiveone.org.
