One Health Project started under Pandemic Fund in Pakistan; the first meeting of National Steering Committee held

A special initiative has been taken in Pakistan to deal with pandemics in animals and humans in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, FAO Pakistan, and WHO. The One Health project has been launched under the World Bank Pandemic Fund. The livestock and animal sector has also been included in this project. FAO Pakistan will work on the livestock-related part of this project. A National Steering Committee and a National Technical Committee have been formed to maintain the transparency of the project. The first meeting of the National Steering Committee was held in Islamabad.

FAO joined the Interdisciplinary Research Conference on One Health at Sargodha

One Health Project under Pandemic Fund

Pakistan has received $18.7 million to strengthen national capacity for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response under the second phase of the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund. This World Bank fund was launched in 2022 with the aim of providing support to low and middle income countries to control pandemics. In Pakistan, the funding will be jointly implemented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The fund covers all sectors under One Health, with the livestock and animal sector playing a major role.

The initiative aims to improve and strengthen the health system in Pakistan. One Health aims to improve human and animal health as well as the environment. The animal sector is the main focus of funding because 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals.

Working under the Project

Aligned with Pakistan’s National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), International Health Regulations (IHR) and Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) frameworks, the project aims to develop a comprehensive strategy at the national level. From 2025 to 2027, the program, supported by the World Bank Pandemic Fund, will work on improving disease surveillance and response, upgrading laboratory networks in the human and animal health sector, training medical and veterinary professionals, and public awareness by building coordination across all relevant sectors.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

See Full Bio