WASHINGTON, CMC—The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says eight Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries will benefit from the second round of funding under its Pandemic Fund (PF).
Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been included in 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that will benefit from the funding aimed at improving their preparedness for future pandemics.
PAHO said that projects selected by the multilateral financing mechanism will benefit the ten countries. The grants, totaling US$84.1 million, will enhance disease surveillance and early warning systems, improve laboratories, and develop the health workforce, among other vital activities.
The PAHO will actively participate as an implementing entity in supporting four of the five new projects, collaborating closely with government actors, other delivery partners, and key stakeholders.
“This financing represents a critical investment in enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director.
“Our region was the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 pox outbreak, and continues to face substantial risks from the emergence and re-emergence of pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential, as illustrated by the current outbreak of Oropouche disease virus,” he added.
During its second call, the Pandemic Fund received 146 proposals, with funding requests totaling US$4.6 billion, almost 10 times the available budget of $500 million.
PAHO said 23 projects were approved globally, allocating US$418 million overall. The Fund allocated US$128.89 million to 5 projects addressing the current pox outbreak in Africa in September 2024.
“While the funds allocated to Latin America and the Caribbean will be critical, they represent just 20% of the total funds requested, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable financing for pandemic preparedness in our region,” Dr. Barbosa said.
The Pandemic Fund is a catalytic financing mechanism that provides essential resources to advance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) capacities while incentivizing further investment in PPR. It is part of a broader movement towards reaching more sustainable financing for PPR for national and global health security.
Hosted by the World Bank, the Pandemic Fund has already supported four American projects under its first financing round, totaling US$45 million in grant funds.
A third call for proposals is expected to be launched during the first quarter of 2025.
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