Reinforcing country resilience in upstream pandemic prevention
Phase 1
Following an Expression of Interest (EOI) launched in August 2022, six countries — Ecuador, Ghana, Kenya, Mongolia, Rwanda, and Vietnam — were selected for Phase 1. These countries receive technical support from N4H Partners to implement preventative measures.
Ecuador
Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but wildlife trafficking and human-wildlife interactions increase the risk of zoonotic diseases.
N4H works with the Ministries of Environment, Health, and Agriculture to build an integrated One Health surveillance system, strengthen governance, and develop capacity.
The project focuses on five pilot cities (Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Ambato, and Puyo) with results scaled nationwide.
Ghana
Ghana is a hotspot for zoonotic diseases, with risks amplified by land-use changes, wildlife exploitation, livestock expansion, and climate shocks.
N4H Ghana works with human, animal, and environmental health partners to implement a One Health approach, strengthen governance, and co-develop policies and interventions to reduce spillover risk.
Kenya
Kenya’s wildlife-rich savannas, forests, and highlands face growing zoonotic risks due to human-livestock-wildlife interactions, land-use changes, and climate pressures.
N4H Kenya works with government, health, and environmental partners to strengthen One Health governance, implement preventative measures, and build local capacity to reduce spillover risk.
Mongolia
Mongolia’s biodiversity is under pressure from climate change, human-livestock-wildlife interactions, and past zoonotic outbreaks, including bubonic plague.
N4H, in partnership with WOAH and national ministries, strengthens One Health governance, builds capacity, and implements upstream prevention strategies to reduce pandemic risk.
Rwanda
Rwanda’s forests and mountain ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots, but land-use changes, human-wildlife interactions, and climate pressures increase zoonotic spillover risk.
N4H works with government and local partners to strengthen One Health governance, implement preventive measures, and build capacity for evidence-based, cross-sectoral disease prevention.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s rich biodiversity is threatened by illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and inadequate disease monitoring, increasing zoonotic spillover risk.
N4H, in partnership with IUCN and national ministries, implements One Health strategies, strengthens inter-agency coordination, and develops community-based interventions to prevent disease emergence along the wildlife supply chain.
Phase 1 Goals
Reduce the risk of future zoonotic epidemics and pandemics
Strengthen multi-sectoral governance structures
Implement evidence-based, locally relevant prevention actions
Build capacity for long-term environmental and health resilience
8-year initiative with six countries per phase
EUR 50 million initial funding from Germany’s IKI
Over 60 applications reviewed for Phase 1 selection
Phased, Evidence-Based Implementation
