The Pandemic Fund has approved $418 million in new grants to enhance pandemic preparedness in 40 countries across six regions. This marks the second round of funding, following a previous allocation of $128.89 million for five fast-tracked projects supporting ten countries affected by the mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The total funding under this round amounts to $547 million, aiming to mobilize an additional $4 billion for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) investments.
Over half of the funds are designated for sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting high demand from this region. More than 74% of funded projects target low- and lower-middle-income countries. The initiative aims to generate dedicated resources for PPR and encourage countries to increase their own investments.
“With this new round of investments, the Pandemic Fund has once again demonstrated its vital role to mobilize additional financing and promote international collaboration to make the world safer from pandemics,” said Pandemic Fund co-chairs Dr. Chatib Basri and Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana.
“The escalating risk of pandemics driven by climate change, migration, fragility and conflicts underscores the importance and urgency of this new round of investments by the Pandemic Fund," stated Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund.
To date, the fund's two rounds have totaled $885 million in funding, catalyzing an additional $6 billion across 75 countries. The fund was launched in November 2022 with support from G20 nations and is hosted by the World Bank Group. It initially raised $2 billion in seed capital from various contributors and seeks another $2 billion over two years.
Grants aim to leverage co-financing from governments and technical expertise from accredited Implementing Entities. The Governing Board includes representatives from sovereign contributors, co-investor countries, foundations/non-sovereign contributors, and civil society organizations.
Projects span single-country proposals like enhancing capacities in Burundi through a One Health Approach by WHO, UNICEF, FAO; strengthening pandemic responses in Chad; Egypt's resilience project led by WHO; among others across continents including Fiji's readiness project involving WHO and WB; as well as multi-country initiatives such as bolstering health threat responses in Eastern Caribbean nations or disease surveillance strategies against climate-driven outbreaks in Southern Africa.