FAO and the Pandemic Fund
Established in September 2022 and officially launched during a G20 meeting, the Pandemic Fund, hosted by the World Bank, is the first multilateral financing mechanism dedicated to providing multiyear grants to help low- and middle-income countries. By investing in prevention, preparedness, and response, the Fund aims to support countries avoid future pandemics.
Adopting a One Health approach, the Pandemic Fund recognizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of human, animal, plant and environmental health. FAO plays a crucial role in enhancing animal health and disease surveillance, vital for preventing zoonotic diseases that can cause pandemics.
FAO is now co-implementing 32 projects in 44 countries, supported by over USD 165 million. These projects continue to focus on pandemic preparedness but also enhance countries’ abilities to address endemic zoonotic diseases and other emerging threats.
Pandemic Fund projects aim to improve disease surveillance, develop early warning systems, strengthen health infrastructure, and promote cooperation across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Projects
Pandemic Fund projects
FAO is co-leading the implementation of 32 Pandemic Fund projects worth over USD 165 million aimed to boost local and global health security.
Highlights
Small islands, big risks: Why Pacific SIDS need a One Health approach to strengthen pandemic prevention
22/07/2025
In Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where land, sea, and communities are tightly interwoven, a health threat in one sector quickly becomes...
Highlights
Strengthening Uzbekistan's pandemic preparedness through One Health
18/07/2025
FAO's Pandemic Fund project enhances disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and veterinary workforce development in Central Asia.
Highlights
Why early detection matters: Making the case for One Health surveillance
15/07/2025
Whether it's livestock diseases, crop pests, zoonotic spillovers, or environmental shifts that threaten food production, many crises begin silently.
Highlights
The WHO Pandemic Agreement: A landmark for One Health
30/05/2025
On 20 May 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted a Resolution endorsing the draft WHO Pandemic Agreement - the second such agreement adopted...
Highlights
Burkina Faso builds wildlife surveillance capacity to combat future pandemics
13/05/2025
FAO’s Pandemic Fund enhances Burkina Faso’s capacity to rapidly detect and respond to health threats through workforce training.
Highlights
Rwanda advances plans for state-of-the-art National Reference Veterinary Laboratory
02/05/2025
Rwanda validates key step towards building a national reference veterinary laboratory to strengthen animal health and pandemic preparedness.
Highlights
Kazakhstan strengthens veterinary laboratories in AMR surveillance with support from FAO and the Pandemic Fund
28/04/2025
Kazakhstan is taking decisive action to monitor and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in its agrifood systems, with the technical support from FAO...
Highlights
Strengthening pandemic preparedness for early detection in Nepal - highlights
17/04/2025
Nepal is taking significant strides to build a stronger, more responsive animal health system through the SPEED project, led by FAO with support from...