Professor Francisco García Rodríguez,
President Lucas Fernandez,
My fellow awardees, dear colleagues friends,
Buenas noches a todos.
Let me start by expressing my deep sorrow over the tragic train accident south of Madrid yesterday.
I offer my heartfelt condolences especially to those who lost someone they love.
The World Health Organization stands with Spain at this terrible time.
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Despite the tragic circumstances, it is a great honour for me to be here tonight.
I thank the Diario de Avisos Foundation for this award, which I accept with much gratitude, humility and pride.
In truth, I owe this award to the people of Tenerife.
In May, I came to this island under very difficult circumstances.
Hantavirus had broken out on board the cruise ship MV Hondius.
The passengers were frightened, sick or worried about becoming sick, and far from home. They needed a safe harbour.
We asked Tenerife to provide it.
I know that was not an easy request. Many of you were worried.
You asked whether the virus could spread; whether your families were safe; whether your island was being exposed to a risk that was not yours to carry.
Those concerns were valid. They deserved to be heard and answered honestly, not dismissed.
Fear in the face of an outbreak is not selfishness. It is human.
What matters is what people do next. And what you did was remarkable.
You opened your port. Your health workers, emergency services, port workers and authorities worked side by side with WHO and our partners.
Each passenger was disembarked safely and returned home. The outbreak was brought under control.
None of that would have been possible without you.
When an outbreak strikes, the instinct is to close the door.
You chose to open it, carefully, safely and with compassion. You protected strangers without putting your own people at risk.
I would also like to recognize the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Ministers Mónica García, Ángel Víctor Torres and Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Over many years, I have seen what fear and division do in an emergency. Here in Tenerife, I saw the alternative.
Solidarity is our best immunity.
So this award belongs to you. To the port workers, the health workers, the officials, the families who welcomed strangers, and everyone who chose to help.
Thank you, Tenerife. ¡Muchas gracias!