Pandemic Fund for Animal Health System

Pandemic Fund for Animal Health System

News: The G20 Pandemic Fund has approved a $25 million proposal from India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD).

Background:
• The proposal focuses on “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.”

Significance for India:
• Beyond providing dedicated resources for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, the Pandemic Fund will encourage increased investments, improved collaboration among partners, and serve as an advocacy platform.
• The project’s impact aims to decrease the risk of pathogens crossing from animals (both domesticated and wildlife) to humans, thereby safeguarding the health, nutrition, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations.

About G20 Pandemic Fund:
• The G20 Pandemic Fund, established during Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, finances crucial investments to enhance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a specific emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
• The key components of the approved proposal include strengthening disease surveillance and early warning systems, expanding the laboratory network, improving interoperable data systems, enhancing capacity for data analytics and risk communication, fortifying health security for transboundary animal diseases, and facilitating regional cooperation through cross-border collaboration.