The Task Force for Global Health, ITI's umbrella organization, is often described as a partner among partners, fighting diseases that affect the world’s most disadvantaged people and shining the light on local partners, governments and communities. Yesterday, the light was firmly on the Task Force when it was awarded the Hilton Prize, the world's largest humanitarian prize for 30 years of work in the humanitarian sector.

Dr. Paul Emerson, ITI director and Dr.Teshome Gebre, ITI regional director for Africa had the pleasure of accompanying one of the prize committee consultants to the field in Ethiopia, and her exposure to the partnerships fostered by ITI was the only direct experience of the Task Force work in the field that the selection committee had.

"Teshome and I were humbled by the overwhelmingly positive and supportive words of the government and implementing partners, and also the testimony of those delivering and receiving Zithromax in the villages," Dr. Emerson said.

This prize is a reflection of the power of collaboration in solving global health problems and a tribute to the work of our government and non-governmental partners in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. ITI thanks its partners for making this possible.

Learn more about the Task Force for Global Health here > 

Message from Dave Ross, ScD, President and CEO of the Task Force for Global Health:

“I am thrilled to inform you that The Task Force for Global Health has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. At $2 million, the Hilton Prize is the world’s largest humanitarian award and is presented to organizations judged to have made extraordinary contributions to alleviating human suffering.

We have always believed that collaboration is the cornerstone of progress in global health. The Hilton Prize is an honor not only for The Task Force and our employees, but also our partners and donors who have made possible our collective impact. We deeply appreciate your support.

The Hilton Prize is a testament to the power of a collaborative model that has helped reduce the burden of neglected tropical diseases, increase access to vaccines and medicines, and improve basic health services.

We will use the Hilton Prize money to support the acquisition of a larger headquarters that will allow us to increase the impact of our existing programs and launch an anticipated program in non-communicable diseases. This facility will also provide an opportunity for us to build a new center for global health in Atlanta.

We are deeply honored and humbled to receive the Hilton Prize. I look forward to continuing our work together to realize a more equitable world where all people have access to the means for good health.”