GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization (WHO) has teamed up with international advocacy organization Global Citizen, to launch “One World Together At Home”, a global television and streaming special, curated by superstar singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, to celebrate frontline health care workers around the globe in their unrelenting battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The World Health Organization is committed to defeating the coronavirus pandemic with science and public health measures, and supporting the health workers who are on the frontlines of the response”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, making Monday’s announcement of the event.
The live broadcast which will air on Saturday, 18 April 2020 and feature the real-life experiences of doctors, nurses and families living through the pandemic will include an all-star line-up of artists curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga. Among those performing will be Alanis Morissette, Andrea Bocelli, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Burna Boy, Chris Martin, David Beckham, Eddie Vedder, Elton John, FINNEAS, Idris and Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kerry Washington, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Maluma, Paul McCartney, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan and Stevie Wonder.
Stars align
Jimmy Fallon of ‘The Tonight Show’, Jimmy Kimmel of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and Stephen Colbert of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’, will host the event, with friends from Sesame Street on hand to unify and inspire people to support the global COVID-19 response.
Funding pledges from philanthropists and corporate partners will go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO to equip frontline health care workers with masks, gowns and other vital equipment –- as well as to local charities providing food, shelter, and healthcare to those most in need.
UN secretary-general António Guterres stressed that the entire UN system is fully mobilized, supporting country responses, placing supply chains at the world’s disposal and advocating for a global ceasefire. “We are proud to join forces with ‘One World: Together At Home’ to help suppress the transmission of the virus, minimize social-economic impacts on the global community and work together now to advance Global Goals for the future”, he said. “We are in this together and we will get through this together.”
Hugh Evans, co-founder and chief executive officer of Global Citizen, said the broadcast aims to be a source of unity and encouragement. “Through music, entertainment and impact, the global live-cast will celebrate those who risk their own health to safeguard everyone else’s”, he said.