By KT Reporter
The scars of COVID-19 have left East Africa determined not to be caught off guard again. To shield the region from future health threats, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has launched the $31.9 million (UGX 121 billion) Preparedness for Pandemic Response (PREPARE) Project across its seven member states.
Anchored in the One Health approach, this multi-country, multi-sectoral initiative targets transboundary health threats in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. The region faces persistent risks from infectious disease outbreaks, exacerbated by fragile health systems, frequent epidemics, and extensive cross-border movement of people, livestock, and goods.
The PREPARE Project, supported by the Pandemic Fund, aims to enhance regional and cross-border public health capacities over three years. WHO serves as the implementing entity and fiduciary agent, with IFRC as the delivery partner. The project focuses on four critical areas: cross-border surveillance and early warning, laboratory capacity upgrades, workforce development with community engagement, and coordination and advocacy for sustainable preparedness.
The project has already contributed to Uganda’s response to the recent Mpox outbreak. The IGAD secretariat handed over approximately $700,000 worth of supplies, including laboratory equipment, three vehicles for coordination and sample referral, ten motorcycles for contact tracing and outreach, and IT and communication tools to enhance data capture and reporting.
H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, noted that COVID-19 showed that pandemics do not respect borders, and the cost of being unprepared is measured in “lives lost, livelihoods destroyed, and economies disrupted.”
Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health, who officiated the event at Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo, urged the project to ensure member states are better equipped to detect threats early, respond collectively, and protect populations from future pandemics. She emphasized the need for flexible contingency funding within the IGAD national office.
Dr. Suraj Man Shrestha, WHO Program Management Officer, highlighted global stakes, saying, “By investing in resilient health systems and cross-border collaboration through the One Health approach, we ensure the IGAD region is better prepared to prevent, detect, and respond to pandemics. No country is safe until all are safe.”
Charles Businge, IFRC Regional Director for Africa, emphasized community-level impact: “Our National Societies are proud to partner with governments, IGAD, and WHO. With Pandemic Fund support, we’re scaling up Mpox response and prevention while strengthening systems for future epidemics through unparalleled community outreach.”
The PREPARE Project represents a significant step toward regional health security, leveraging partnerships and innovative funding to build a resilient East Africa, safeguard millions, and mitigate the impacts of future pandemics.
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