Statement of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Co-Founders and Chairmen on COVID-19 outbreak
March 23, 2020 - On behalf of the partners and supporters of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, we would like to confirm that during the outbreak of COVID-19 we fully intend to continue our global efforts to help the most vulnerable while supporting local health professionals on the front lines.
At the core of Aurora’s mission is the drive to offer life and hope to those in urgent need of basic humanitarian aid anywhere in the world. It couldn’t be more relevant after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Today, we are more committed than ever to lending a helping hand to those who might otherwise be overlooked or forsaken entirely.
This global outbreak has shifted the global agenda. While the world is focusing on manufacturing the vaccine and minimizing the damage, refugees and other vulnerable communities inalterably supported by Aurora continue to suffer and face additional pressures in light of COVID-19. It is important for us not to lose sight of their hardship.
Aurora will continue giving a second chance to those who have already been through so much. At the same time, the Initiative will contribute to fighting the pandemic and supporting the medical staff by providing ten lung ventilation devices for Armenian Hospitals using the funds raised via #AraratChallenge campaign.
As a universal movement, we take the safety and health of our global community extremely seriously. In these trying and uncertain times, one thing is very clear: every day, more and more people in the world will need assistance, and it is our duty and responsibility to provide it.
This challenge is faced by all of humanity, and we urge all of you to join Aurora in rising to it.
Tom Catena, Chair, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
Lord Ara Darzi, Chair, Aurora Prize Selection Committee
Noubar Afeyan, Vartan Gregorian, Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founders, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
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About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
Founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative seeks to empower modern-day saviors to offer life and hope to those in urgent need of basic humanitarian aid anywhere in the world and thus continue the cycle of giving internationally. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is Gratitude in Action. It is an eight-year commitment (2015 to 2023, in remembrance of the eight years of the Armenian Genocide 1915-1923) to support people and promote global projects that tackle the needs of the most helpless and destitute and do so at great risk. This is achieved through the Initiative’s various programs: The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues, the Aurora Humanitarian Index, the Gratitude Projects and the 100 LIVES Initiative. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is the vision of philanthropists Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan who have been joined by more than 440 new supporters and partners. Our Chair, Dr. Tom Catena, draws on his experience is a surgeon, veteran, humanitarian and the 2017 Aurora Prize laureate to spread the message of Gratitude in Action to a global audience. The Initiative welcomes all who embrace a commitment to our shared humanity.
Further information is available at www.auroraprize.com