Building stronger health systems

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has joined forces with key stakeholders to strengthen One Health-based PPR in the Greater Virunga Landscape (GTVC)

From 11-14 February 2025, government representatives, PF project implementing entities, international organisations, and implementing partners meet in Kigali to align efforts and develop a comprehensive 2025 workplan for the Strengthening One Health-Based PPR in the Greater Virunga Landscape (SOHGVL) project. Supported by the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, the project aims to enhance disease prevention, early detection, and coordinated response mechanisms across the region.

The workshop will refine the project’s Theory of Change, establish reporting and coordination mechanisms, and facilitate field visits to assess on-the-ground challenges. Additionally, implementing entities—including FAO, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)—will review progress and define strategies to accelerate implementation. Delivery partners such as the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Gorilla Doctors, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) will also contribute expertise in conservation and animal health.

The project will further strengthen the intergovernmental collaboration of the three partner states especially the pillar of community conservation by working together with those communities in tackling the challenge of preventing pandemics and thereby protecting the people, their animals, the wildlife and the environment in which they live and depend for their livelihoods, says Dr Andrew Seguya of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC). 

The meeting is set to finalise a detailed 2025 workplan and a broader three-year strategy, establishing a results-driven framework for tracking progress and strengthening health security in the region.