Jet Li appointed as `Goodwill Ambassador` of WHO

New York, April 04: Martial arts expert and film star Jet Li has been named as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), which has lauded his efforts on global disaster relief and support for the well-being of young people.Li, born in Beijing, is expected to use his worldwide celebrity status to raise awareness on key health issues.

"I am very pleased to appoint Jet Li as a Goodwill Ambassador for WHO," said the agency`s Director-General, Margaret Chan yesterday, speaking from Sichuan, China, where she is attending an international conference on health response to natural disasters. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Li took a break from acting and set up a charitable foundation to support international disaster relief effort. He has also been involved with emergency response to earthquakes in China. "He has been personally involved in providing emergency response following natural disasters and has promoted mental health amongst youth. We are grateful that he is willing to use his energy and fame to promote health and well-being," said Chan. In his first official function for WHO, Li will attend the April 7 launch of World Health Day in Beijing, where he will help spread this year`s message of making hospitals safe during emergencies. Bureau Report