Hilton Foundation announces winner of $2-million humanitarian prize


STOP HUMAN SUFFERING— The Hilton Foundation’s humanitarian works have touched all corners of the globe.

STOP HUMAN SUFFERING— The Hilton Foundation’s humanitarian works have touched all corners of the globe.

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh is the 2017 recipient of the $2-million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.

The global health organization— known as Icddr,b—was chosen for the award by the Agoura Hills-based Hilton Foundation because of its 50-year history of implementing innovative, low-cost programs that save millions of lives around the world, according to foundation president and CEO Peter Laugharn.

A panel of independent judges reviewed more than 200 applicants before naming the winner, he said.

Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Icddr,b researches enteric diseases that include gastrointestinal sicknesses such as the stomach flu.

In developing countries, the stomach flu is deadly, but products developed by Icddr,b have helped curb its impact.

“ They saved 50 million lives,” Laugharn said. “About a million each year.”

The company, he said, also developed medicine to combat cholera.

“It’s a simple and low-cost approach,” Laugharn said. “(They are) very good at looking at health challenges and finding solutions that can reduce maternal mortality, combating cholera, even looking at brain development of children.

“ They’ve produced very impressive results. I hope it’s an inspiration to others in the developing world,” he said.

The prize will be awarded during the Hilton Foundation’s annual symposium on Wed., Oct. 11 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. This year’s theme is “The Future of Humanitarian Action: Bridging Our Divides.”

The Hilton Humanitarian Prize was established in 1996. It’s given to an organization that has made extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering.

Each year, the foundation reviews hundreds of nominations from nonprofit groups around the globe. An independent juror panel makes its selection following an intensive vetting process.

Nominations for the 2018 Hilton Humanitarian Prize will be accepted until Oct. 18 and should be submitted through the foundation’s website at www.hiltonfoundation.org.

Stephanie Bertholdo