The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will co-lead the implementation of 12 projects worth $264 million aimed to boost local and global health security as part of The Pandemic Fund’s first round of financing.

As one of the Implementing Entities, FAO will be at the forefront of driving change and progress with the One Health approach, which aims to optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems, recognizing that they are closely linked and interdependent.

The 12 projects involve FAO’s participation in partnership with governments and other agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank (WB), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Directly under FAO's oversight, approximately $60 million will be utilized over three years. The initiatives will benefit Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Togo, Zambia, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Paraguay and Yemen, as well as the West Bank and Gaza.

Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are also part of a regional project specifically for Central Asia.

Within the framework of One Health for better prevention, preparedness and response to public health emergencies, the projects focus on three priority areas: collaborative surveillance, laboratory capacity, and workforce development. These include actions such as reinforcing disease prevention; combating antimicrobial resistance; strengthening early warnings, detection and response capabilities; improving collaboration between human, animal and environmental laboratories; and staff training. 

“FAO welcomes the first round of financing from the Pandemic Fund and we are committed to supporting nations to be better prepared for future health crises.  Under FAO’s One Health initiative- a holistic, integrated, collective approach- we will continue to work to effectively maintain and enhance the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment in a sustainable manner”, said Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo.