The COVID pandemic has highlighted the need for joint and rapid responses to global problems such as pandemics. Interdependencies between mobility, biodiversity and health have become particularly apparent. Climate change and interference in ecosystems increase the risk of new pathogens passing over to humans (spill-over). Better pandemic preparedness is crucial. In addition to infectious outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to health and socio-economic development.
The BMZ's global program strengthens partners’ capacities concerning prevention and response at national, regional and global level with a One Health approach, taking into account the linkages between human, animal and environmental health. It supports the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the Quadripartite One Health Action Plan (JPA) in cooperation with WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and partners at country level. The aim is to promote pandemic resilience and technical expertise for laboratory diagnostics, surveillance systems (e.g. using SORMAS, including climate data) and policies of One Health platforms, e.g. in Bolivia.
In the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), the project supports measures to reduce female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), both internationally and in Malawi. South-South exchange and gender-transformative approaches are part of the methodology.
Together with France, the project is part of the Team Europe initiative ‘Sustainable Health Security, One Health’ in Africa and supports the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The ‘German Epidemic Preparedness Team’ (SEEG) supports countries during epidemics through laboratory capacity building, counselling and training on infection control, early detection and AMR control. The aim of SEEG deployments is to improve interdisciplinary prevention and response to health crises.
Status: February 2025