In response to Covid-19, Saudi Aramco has prioritised the safety, health and wellbeing of its 70,000 men and women, as well as its communities around the world, while keeping its supply chains uninterrupted to ensure safe delivery of materials.

The world's largest oil producer has implemented measures to reduce the risk of infection and to mitigate the virus’s impact on its people and business. Its inbuilt systems for managing global crises ensure all its sites remain operational.

Amin Nasser, Aramco’s President and CEO, says: 'The world has encountered unprecedented complexities as a result of Covid-19, which have required high levels of agility and adaptability. The safety and wellbeing of our people has always been Aramco’s top priority and we continue to put them first in every decision we make.

'I am proud of how Aramco has responded to the challenge with a strong, united and compassionate approach, which stems from our deep-rooted community values. Covid-19 has no doubt created physical barriers, but it has also brought many of us closer together.

'We stand by our promise to do all that we can in the fight against Covid-19, helping those around us and delivering the world’s energy throughout this pandemic.'

Aramco has a number of measures in place at each of its locations, including active prevention programmes, detailed contingency plans and leading medical support services to minimise risk and ensure the best possible care.

Aramco has intensified sterilisation efforts at its facilities and ensured strict health practices are adhered to

All these measures are in line with government and official health advice in each of its operating jurisdictions, alongside its own internal health measures, which are guided by advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.

Aramco has a joint venture with Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), whose facility at its Dhahran headquarters is integral to the company’s medical preparedness and response to Covid-19.

The company has worked with JHAH to roll out a company-wide health awareness campaign, including weekly updates, and ensure all its employees have access to the latest accurate information about preventing transmission of Covid-19, actions they should take if they display symptoms, tips on caring for themselves at home and where to receive medical assistance.

In addition, Aramco has also launched a Covid-19 Mental Health Tool Kit, an online resource for people in isolation or quarantine, their family and friends. This provides guidance and practical steps on how to care for their emotional health during this stressful time.

The company has facilitated working from home wherever possible, including employees considered to be at higher risk from infection, to reduce the in-office population, all in line with social distancing instructions issued by authorities in each of our locations. Managers have also been directed to ensure that their business continuity plans prioritise employees as part of the company’s our long-standing commitment to staff safety.

To protect those working at its facilities, Aramco has intensified sterilisation efforts, applied social distancing rules and ensured strict health practices are adhered to. There is also 100 per cent thermal screening of employees and contractors across all facilities and company transport to limit the possibility of contagion at both onshore and offshore sites.

Aramco is also working with the communities in each of its geographies, and in line with relevant government measures. The company is providing support that includes much-needed medical equipment such as ventilators, high-efficiency air purifiers and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Saudi Arabia: On April 1, 2020 Aramco and its subsidiaries presented SR200 million ($53 million) to the Health Endowment Fund of the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to support efforts to combat COVID-19. In particular, the endowment focuses on providing ventilators for intensive care units.

Aramco and its subsidiaries have also launched an employee donation campaign, ‘Stay Home Stay Safe’, to support vulnerable people during this unsettling time through the provision of basic foodstuffs, preventative equipment such as masks and hand sanitiser, and educational materials. The campaign has raised over $1.7 million, a figure that has been matched by the company, and the total amount of more than $3.4m will be used to supply essentials to more than 20,000 households in over 15 cities across Saudi Arabia.

Aramco tanks are also being used to store raw sterilising materials for the Food and Drug General Authority ahead of being needed for manufacturing products that counter the spread of COVID-19.

Globally, Aramco’s offices have together committed to contributing more than $3.5 million to support healthcare and disaster relief organisations.

Asia: Aramco’s Asia office facilitated donations of cash and critically needed medical supplies to the Red Cross Society in China. Aramco Korea has made a donation of $800,000 to South Korea’s Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

S-Oil, of which Aramco is the largest shareholder, has donated $400,000 to South Korea’s relief efforts.

Europe: Aramco Europe has donated funds to Italy’s Fondazione Buzzi for intensive care units and other medical supplies.

Aramco Overseas Company in London has delivered essential healthcare items such as masks and sanitisers to more than 500 Company-sponsored students in the UK. Remote and in-person medical services are also being provided.

Americas: In Detroit, home to one of Aramco’s Global Research Centers, more than 2,000 protective masks were donated to Harper Hospital in collaboration with the North American Association of Chinese Engine Engineers (NAACEE).

Aramco Americas has also provided 30,000 KN95 masks for the city of Houston, where it has its headquarters.

Aramco’s subsidiary, the Motiva Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, has continued to operate safely and efficiently, producing ethylene, which is being used to make medical supplies that are in high demand. In addition, it has donated 1,200 PPE suits to the Regional Emergency Operations Center for COVID-19 testing sites across Southeast Texas.

The Motiva Refinery team has created an employee fundraising and company matching initiative in support of the Houston Food Bank.

The staff of AramcoWorld magazine have provided classroom guides and other multimedia sources to support online teachers.