News

 ONE HEALTH INITIATIVE TEAM: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2022

World Bank Approves New Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR) includes One Health Financing Possibilities

 SEE: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/pandemics/brief/factsheet-financial-intermediary-fund-for-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response

“Will the FIF also fund activities related to One Health (intersection between human health, animal health and environment)?

Yes, activities related to One Health, which recognize that human and animal health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystems they share, will be eligible for financing from the FIF.  A multi-sectoral One Health approach is central to the prevention of public health risks.”

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With broad support from the G20, on June 20, 2022 the World Bank Board of Directors approved establishment of a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) whose purpose will be to address pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). Already over $1 billion commitments have been announced. These and other new resources will be to assist low and middle-income countries increase their pandemic investments, improve coordination among partners, and serve as a platform for advocacy.

FIF will seek to strengthen country capacity in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, health workforce, emergency communication and management, and community engagement; as well as strengthening regional and global capacity in data sharing, regulatory harmonization, and coordinated development, procurement, distribution and deployment of countermeasures and essential medical supplies.

The World Bank will administer the FIF with technical expertise provided by the World Health Organization, both working closely with donors and other partners. The FIF scope and design is a work in progress but indications of what is likely to be included is contained in an accompanying FIF Fact Sheet. It states, “A multi-sectoral One Health approach is central to the prevention of public health risks.”

The plan is to launch the FIF in three-to- four months. That time should be used to have countries and regional leaders begin to consider ways to be ready with One Health policies, programs, and projects.

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