NEW YORK: The Pandemic Fund has approved $418 million in grants to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities in 40 countries across six regions, marking the conclusion of its second funding round. This allocation aims to enhance disease surveillance, upgrade laboratories, and bolster health workforces globally.
According to Emirates News Agency, these grants add to the $128.89 million approved in September for projects in 10 countries affected by the mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern, bringing the total funding for the second round to $547 million. This funding is expected to mobilize an additional $4 billion for pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) investments in the recipient countries.
More than half of the funds from this round are allocated to sub-Saharan Africa, which has shown the highest demand for such grants. Additionally, over 74 percent of the funded projects will benefit low- and lower-middle-income countries. The investments align with the Pa
ndemic Fund’s objectives to mobilize additional resources for PPR, incentivize countries to increase their own investments, and enhance coordination.
Pandemic Fund co-chairs Dr. Chatib Basri and Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana highlighted the Fund’s role in promoting international collaboration. They commended the efforts of the Technical Advisory Panel and Governing Board in ensuring an inclusive and transparent selection process. The co-chairs also urged global leaders to recapitalize the fund to continue supporting more countries.
The Pandemic Fund’s efforts have so far amounted to $885 million across two funding rounds, mobilizing an additional $6 billion in support for 75 countries, half of which are low- and middle-income nations. These efforts aim to fill critical capacity gaps in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.