MENA Newswire News Desk: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will co-implement 21 new projects as part of the second round of funding from the Pandemic Fund. These projects, valued at $109 million, are aimed at bolstering both global and local health security, with 32 countries set to benefit from the initiatives. The FAO had previously announced in September four fast-tracked projects specifically targeted at mpox-affected countries. Following this, 17 additional projects were revealed in October, extending the scope of the organization’s pandemic response efforts.
More than half of the awarded funds in this second round have been allocated to countries in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that has demonstrated the greatest need for support from the Pandemic Fund. This reflects the broader emphasis on strengthening pandemic preparedness in areas where healthcare infrastructure remains vulnerable. The new projects will expand FAO’s portfolio under the Pandemic Fund to 33 initiatives spread across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Near East and North Africa.
These initiatives, which now support 45 countries, bring the total value of the FAO’s pandemic response efforts to nearly $170 million. Launched in November 2022 during a G20 meeting, the Pandemic Fund was established as the first multilateral financing mechanism dedicated to helping low- and middle-income countries enhance their pandemic preparedness. Hosted by the World Bank Group, the Fund enables countries to submit applications for funding through accredited Implementing Entities, including FAO. Once submitted, the Pandemic Fund’s Governing Board allocates financing to the selected projects.
By facilitating the development of comprehensive pandemic preparedness plans, FAO and other implementing entities are playing a critical role in mitigating future global health crises. As the world continues to navigate the aftermath of recent health emergencies, these newly financed projects mark a significant step in the ongoing effort to build more resilient health systems worldwide. FAO and the World Bank Group remain key players in this multilateral effort, ensuring that targeted regions receive the necessary financial support and technical expertise to address gaps in health security.