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.

In the first round of financing in 2023, FAO co-led 12 projects across 16 countries with a budget of over USD 60 million. These initiatives aimed at improving animal disease detection, response capabilities, and vaccination programs, helping countries build core health system capacities.

Building on this success, 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. The Fund aims to attract additional resources, incentivize increased investments from countries, enhance coordination among partners, and serve as a platform for advocacy.