Department of AH&D Secures $25M Under Pandemic Fund

The G20 Pandemic Fund has granted its approval to a proposal amounting to $25 million, which was put forth by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. The proposal, titled “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response,” has garnered the green light from the fund.

More About the News

• The profound human, economic, and societal toll inflicted by COVID-19 has underscored the critical necessity for coordinated efforts to establish robust One-health systems and mobilize additional resources for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
• Over the past few decades, a staggering majority of WHO-declared public health emergencies of international concern, specifically five out of six, have originated from animals.
• Consequently, it has become unmistakably clear that effective pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) requires a One Health approach that places significant emphasis on animal health security.

Proposal

• The Pandemic Fund garnered an impressive response, receiving approximately 350 Expressions of Interest (EoI) and 180 full proposals during its initial call for submissions.
• The cumulative grant requests amounted to over $2.5 billion, significantly surpassing the allocated budget of $338 million.
• Subsequently, the Pandemic Fund’s Governing Board took action by approving 19 grants in its inaugural round of funding allocations.
• These grants are aimed at enhancing global resilience against future pandemics, spanning 37 countries across six regions.

This notable decision was reached on July 20, 2023, marking a significant step forward in addressing the pressing challenges of pandemic prevention and response.

Main Objectives

• The proposal encompasses significant initiatives aimed at fortifying pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
• These interventions include the enhancement and integration of disease surveillance and early warning systems, the expansion and modernization of the laboratory network, the enhancement of inter-operable data systems, and the development of capacity for data analytics to facilitate risk analysis and communication.
• Additionally, there is a focus on reinforcing health security against transboundary animal diseases, as well as India’s active involvement in fostering regional cooperation through cross-border collaboration.

Significance

• The Pandemic Fund is not only set to channel additional dedicated resources towards pandemic-related endeavors but also intends to stimulate heightened investments, improve coordination among partners, and establish itself as a platform for advocacy.
• The envisaged impact of the project is to mitigate the risk of pathogens emerging from animals, both domesticated and wildlife, and subsequently being transmitted to the human population.
• This approach safeguards the health, nutritional security, and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
• The project will be executed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), serving as the lead implementing entity, in conjunction with The World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

About the Pandemic Fund

Instituted during Indonesia’s tenure as the G20 Presidency, the Pandemic Fund serves as a financial mechanism that supports vital investments aimed at enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities. These investments are targeted at multiple levels—national, regional, and global—and are particularly focused on low- and middle-income countries. The fund plays a pivotal role in addressing the pressing need to bolster resources and capacities in the fight against pandemics, contributing to a more resilient global health landscape.

Key Features of the G20 Pandemic Fund

• It is a multi-donor fund, which means that it will be financed by contributions from multiple countries.
• It is expected to be capitalized with US$10 billion.
• It will be managed by the World Bank.
• It will focus on financing the development and deployment of new tools to prevent, detect, and respond to future pandemics.
• It will also support countries in preparing for and responding to future pandemics by strengthening public health systems and building pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.

The G20 Pandemic Fund is a significant step forward in the global effort to prevent future pandemics. However, it is important to note that the fund is only a small part of the resources that will be needed to address the global pandemic threat. More funding will be needed from governments, international organizations, and the private sector.

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