Inside sh112b IGAD pandemic response project agreement

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In a historic gathering in Kampala on August 29, 2025, health ministers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states, joined by senior officials from across the One Health spectrum, signed a landmark memorandum of understanding to launch the Preparedness for Pandemic Response (PREPARE) project.

Spearheaded by IGAD executive secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the initiative worth the $31.9 million (about shillings 112 billion), seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and resilience against future pandemics by adopting an integrated One Health approach that unites human, animal, and environmental health systems under a common framework.

IGAD handed over pandemic preparedness supplies worth more than $700,000 to Uganda’s health ministry under the $31.9 million PREPARE Project, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening health security and resilience across the Horn of Africa.

Among the delegates that signed the MOU on behalf of IGAD member countries include health officials: Dr Jane Ruth Aceng of Uganda, South Sudan's Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial, Dr Mariam Mohamed Hussein of Somalia, Mary Muthoni Muriuki of Kenya, Mohamed Ali Mohamed of Djibouti, Dr Elfaddil Mohammed Mahmoud Mohammed of Sudan, Prof. Sileshi Gamma Abeyaof Ethiopia, Dr Charles Businge of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Dr Robert Kwesiga of the Uganda Red Cross, WHO Country Representative Dr Kasonde Mwinga, as well as civil society organisations in Uganda's public health sector; senior officials of the IGAD member states and Secretariat.

Preamble  

Recalling with appreciation the substantive recommendations emanating from successive IGAD ministerial meetings convened to address transboundary public health threats, notably the IGAD Heads of State and Government (HSOG) Extraordinary Summit declaration of March 30, 2020, on the regional response strategy to COVID-19, which underscored the significance of cross-border health initiatives in the region's pandemic preparedness and response, the 9th IGAD Ministerial Meeting on Surveillance and Outbreaks conducted in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya, in July 2016; the 10th Ministerial Meeting on Refugee and Cross-Border Health held in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in March 2018; the 12th Ministerial Meeting addressing the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic convened via videoconference in April 2020; and the 13th IGAD Health Ministerial Committee Meeting on refugee and cross-border health initiatives;

Acknowledging with deep concern that pandemics have imposed unprecedented socio-economic burdens upon the African continent, with the COVID¬19 pandemic alone precipitating an estimated gross domestic product contraction of 3.4 percent in 2020 and disrupting more than 70 percent of essential health services across Sub-Saharan Africa, while our IGAD region has experienced disproportionate adverse impacts attributable to pre-existing structural vulnerabilities and extensive patterns of cross-border population mobility;

Noting with profound appreciation the historic declaration adopted by the IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit on the 30th day of March 2020, establishing a comprehensive regional response strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic, which emphasised the paramount importance of cross-border health initiatives in strengthening pandemic preparedness and response mechanisms throughout our region;

Guided by the principles of the One Health approach as comprehensively defined by the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) and formally endorsed by the Quadripartite Alliance comprising the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Wort Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which advances an integrated and unifying approach designed to achieve sustainable balance and optimization of human, animal, and ecosystem health;

Expressing grave concern regarding the persistent and escalating threat posed by infectious disease outbreaks, including the recent Mpox outbreak first confirmed within the IGAD region on the 24th day of July 2024 in Kasese District, Republic of Uganda, which subsequently expanded to the Republic of Kenya by July 2024, and South Sudan in February 2025, thereby demonstrating the elevated risk of cross-border disease transmission within our interconnected regional framework;

Recognising the scientific evidence indicating that approximately 75 percent of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic in nature, and that our IGAD region's extensive cross-border movement of populations, livestock, wildlife and commercial goods creates both significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities for comprehensive disease prevention and control initiatives;

Acknowledging with gratitude the pivotal role undertaken by the Pandemic Fund in advancing global health security objectives, with the African continent receiving approximately 40 percent of initial funding allocations specifically designated to strengthen pandemic preparedness capacities across the region;

Expressing sincere appreciation of the exemplary leadership demonstrated by the IGAD Secretariat, the Member States, Pandemic Fund, the World Health Organisation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in mobilising resources. 

Solemn declarations and commitments:

We Hereby Collectively Resolve And Solemnly Pledge Our Governments And Institutions To The Following Strategic Imperatives:

Strengthening cross-border surveillance and early warning systems

Establish and reinforce comprehensive cross-border surveillance and monitoring mechanisms and fully operational Early Warning Systems within border regions, encompassing the standardised diagnostic tools and training protocols while enhancing community-based surveillance infrastructure.

The development of unified digital One Health surveillance data repository platforms integrated with advanced emergency response capabilities towards a seamless coordination among One Health personnel across Member States.

The deployment of specialised cross-border One Health surveillance and response teams with sustained support for regular coordination, consultation, and collaborative initiatives among Member States.

The design and validation of gender-sensitive pandemic preparedness and response plans Foster Inter-REC collaboration and coordination for scaled-up regional and continental pandemic preparedness.

Enhancing laboratory capacity

The strengthening of laboratory capacities within cross-border regions to facilitate the rapid confirmation and characterisation of diseases possessing epidemic potential, including comprehensive assessments and prioritised support for upgrading diagnostic capabilities and interoperable information management systems.

The enhancement of laboratory networking through the establishment of robust cross-border laboratory networks equipped with state-of-the-art interoperable information management systems.

The development and implementation of a comprehensive regional biosafety and biosecurity strategy, accompanied by detailed implementation guidelines and sustained support for Member State adaptation and adoption processes.

Build and strengthen regional cross-border workforce capacity to effectively prepare for and respond to One Health emergencies while ensuring meaningful engagement with local communities and vulnerable populations.

Conduct comprehensive regional assessments examining multisectoral and community stakeholders, existing systems infrastructure, and current workforce capacities across the IGAD region.

Development harmonised One Health curricula, evidence-based capacity-building approaches, and context-adapted, gender-sensitive implementation guidelines tailored to regional specificities.

Systematic rollout of context-specific cross-border community engagement strategies, establishment of minimum operational requirements, and development of standard operating procedures and protocols for building community engagement capacities in emergency response.

Promoting multisectoral coordination and evidence-based advocacy

Allow for the flexibility of this fund to address national pandemic preparedness initiatives and efforts.

Establish and operationalise a regional One-Health coordination platform specifically designed for pandemic preparedness and response activities, ensuring comprehensive stakeholder participation and sustained engagement.

Develop evidence-based advocacy mechanisms promoting inclusive and sustainable epidemic and pandemic preparedness initiatives across all sectors and governance levels.

Create a Project Steering Committee tasked with providing expert guidance for policy development initiatives and coordinated resource mobilisation efforts throughout the region.

Ministerial-level commitments and undertakings:

We the Ministers solemnly commit ourselves and our respective governments to:

Uphold and strengthen the political will necessary to reinforce national One Health platforms with particular emphasis on enhancing cross-border cooperation mechanisms for comprehensive pandemic preparedness initiatives.

Promote the institutionalisation and harmonisation of cross-border pandemic preparedness coordination activities through the establishment of permanent coordination mechanisms and standardised operational procedures.

Enhance real-time data sharing capabilities and ensuring interoperability between Member States while guaranteeing regular compilation and systematic dissemination of surveillance data across national boundaries.

Advocate relevant governmental authorities for the allocation and protection of dedicated financial resources for multiple emergency scenarios and comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness and Response activities.

Enhance collaboration with international, multilateral, bilateral organisations and Institutions and private sector to address the challenges posed by recurrent and overlapping pandemic threats within our region through the systematic application of One Health methodologies.

Mobilise domestic resources and strategic investments to enhance the availability and accessibility of high-quality, equitable healthcare services, specifically targeting cross-border and mobile populations.

Develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the systematic implementation of this Communique, incorporating periodic progress assessments and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective implementation and measurable outcomes.

Conclusion

Call upon all stakeholders, including our valued development partners, civil society organisations, academic institutions, private sector and local communities, to provide sustained support for the comprehensive implementation of this Communique in service of the health security of our region and the African continent.

Express our profound gratitude to the Government and People of the Republic of Uganda for their gracious hospitality and exemplary arrangements in hosting this historic Ministerial Meeting.

Pledge to remain actively and constructively engaged on these critical matters and to reconvene as circumstances require to assess implementation progress and address emerging challenges within our evolving regional health security landscape.