London April 9, 2020
Today, the Graff Foundation will donate US$1 million to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund in support of WHO, which is leading and coordinating the global efforts to detect and respond to the pandemic.
The donation will aid the Fund’s critical work tracking and understanding the spread of the virus; mobilising resources; ensuring patients are given the correct care and frontline workers have access to essential supplies and information; and accelerating the development of vaccines, tests and treatments.
The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund was set up at WHO’s request by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation. The Graff Foundation donation is being made through the UN Foundation.
The majority of financial resources from the Fund are targeted at the most vulnerable and at-risk countries, which are prioritised according to greatest need on a week by week basis. As of the beginning of April 2020, the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund has bought and shipped PPE to 75 countries; supplied close to 1.8 million diagnostic kits to 126 countries; created and distributed technical and public health information to millions; and supported drug trials that may help save the lives of those worst affected by COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is a textbook example of a global problem that requires global cooperation,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President & CEO of the UN Foundation. “I thank Graff for their commitment to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund – it could not be more clear that we need to work together across sectors to fight this pandemic.”
Francois Graff, trustee of the Graff Foundation, on behalf of the Graff family:
“The challenge presented by the pandemic has had a profound effect on all of us at Graff. As an international business, it has been terrible to witness the speed with which the virus has spread, and the pain and uncertainty it is causing throughout the world. The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund is a vital tool in the global response to the virus. We are proud to contribute to its life-saving work and support the medical community and key workers who are heroically devoting their lives to caring for others during this global crisis.”
Funded by, but separate from, the Graff organisation, the Graff Foundation is a UK- registered charity that supports philanthropic activities around the world.
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