World Health Organization (WHO) has declared in the past 5 decades that 5 out of 6 public health emergencies of international concern originated from animals. Hence, pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) must adopt a One Health approach with a strong focus on animal health security.
Recognizing this imperative, the G20 Pandemic Fund has greenlit a $25 million proposal submitted by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. The proposal is titled “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response“. It aims to bolster the country’s capabilities in preventing, preparing for, and responding to pandemics.
Established under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, the Pandemic Fund is dedicated to financing critical investments that enhance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at the national, regional, and global levels, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries.
The first call for proposals by the Pandemic Fund received an overwhelming response, with approximately 350 Expressions of Interest (EoI) and 180 full proposals submitted. These requests for funding totaled more than $2.5 billion, a stark contrast to the fund’s initial envelope of $338 million. On July 20th, 2023, the Pandemic Fund’s Governing Board approved 19 grants during its first round of funding allocations. These grants are designed to boost resilience against future pandemics in 37 countries across six regions.
The key interventions outlined in the approved proposal for India include:
- Strengthening and integrating disease surveillance and early warning systems.
- Upgrading and expanding the laboratory network.
- Enhancing interoperable data systems and building capacity for data analytics for risk analysis and risk communication.
- Reinforcing health security for transboundary animal diseases.
- Fostering India’s role in regional cooperation through cross-border collaboration.
The G20 Pandemic Fund is also expected to incentivize increased investments in these areas. It will foster greater coordination among partners and serve as an advocacy platform. The ultimate goal is to reduce the risk of pathogens emerging from animals, whether domesticated or wildlife, and transmitting into the human population, thereby safeguarding the health, nutritional security, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
The implementation of this vital project will be carried out in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as the lead implementing entity, along with support from The World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This collaborative effort is a significant step towards building a more resilient and prepared global community to address future pandemics.
