- FIFA has teamed up with the World Health Organization (WHO) to #ACTogether
- Campaign promotes need for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, among other things
- Michael Owen echoed his voice: “There needs to be fairness and equity in access to vaccines”
England and FIFA legend Michael Owen supported #ACTogether, a joint initiative by FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the need for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, and to encourage people to continue life-saving, daily public health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to protect health.
Owen entered an online media conference to add his support to the campaign and to speak on behalf of the FIFA Legends community to offer their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims of the loss. their life to COVID-19.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke together at a media conference about the importance of the #ACTogether campaign at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
“For the third week in a row, the number of new cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide fell last week,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Many countries still have growing numbers, but at a global level, this is encouraging news. However, we have been here before. Over the past year, times have been in almost every country when things went awry, and governments opened too fast and individuals let the guard down, just to get the virus back. “
Dr Tedros continued: “As vaccines are introduced, it is vital that all of us continue to take care to keep ourselves and each other safe. Strengthening health information systems has been a key factor. a key part of the WHO transformation process over the past three and a half years.
“Another key part of that process is a new approach to partnerships. WHO understands that we cannot achieve our ambitious goals by working with organizations that reach an audience we have not traditionally had.
“Last year, WHO entered into a new partnership with FIFA, to leverage the great power of football to promote health. FIFA has been a strong supporter of global efforts to make football fans Last year, FIFA contributed US $ 10 million to the COVID-19 Loyalty Response Fund, and launched several initiatives to raise awareness of how you can stay safe from the virus, be proactive physical and stop violence against women. “
The #ACTogether campaign will be a major initiative and will be run in conjunction with the upcoming Qatar 2020 ™ FIFA Club World Cup between 4 and 11 February. With the help of star football players like Owen, through TV and in-stadium messaging, the campaign promotes and urges the COVID-19 Machine Access Acceleration (ACT) campaign launched in April 2020 and urges on everyone continue to wear masks in public, socially. speed and maintenance of hand hygiene.
“First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and condolences to all the families who have lost their lives / are suffering. Fairness and team spirit are the core values of a member. -foot, “said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“The same values are needed for today’s great challenge. If we work together. We want the international community to ensure fairness. Access to vaccines, treatment and diagnosis. A Using football as a powerful tool. We feel we need to work and work together. We are honored to support the WHO. Dr Tedros – we are on the same team. “
Dr. Tedros concluded the comments with a crucial message: “If we are alone, we are vulnerable. If we work together, we can save lives.”