July 1, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Bank Approves New Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for
Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR) -
includes One Health Financing Possibilities
“Will the FIF also fund activities related to One Health (intersection between human health, animal health and environment)?
With broad support from the G20, on June 20, 2022 the World Bank Board of Directors approved establishment of a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) whose purpose will be to address pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). Already over $1 billion commitments have been announced. These and other new resources will assist low and middle-income countries to increase their pandemic investments, to improve coordination among partners, and to serve as a platform for advocacy.
The FIF will strengthen country capacity in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, health workforce, emergency communication and management, and community engagement. It will also strengthen regional and global capacity in data sharing, regulatory harmonization, and coordinated development, procurement, distribution and deployment of countermeasures and essential medical supplies.
The World Bank will administer the FIF with technical expertise provided by the World Health Organization, both working closely with donors and other partners. The FIF scope and design is a work in progress but indications of what is likely to be included is contained in an accompanying FIF Fact Sheet which states, “A multi-sectoral One Health approach is central to the prevention of public health risks.”
The FIF is set to launch in three-to- four months. The time before launch can be used by countries and regional leaders to consider ways to be ready with One Health policies, programs, and projects.
For more information, please contact:
Cheryl Stroud, DVM, PhD
Executive Director, One Health Commission
cstroud@onehealthcommission.org
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