The Pandemic Fund

Dear Partners,

Let me begin by thanking each of you for your continued support, collaboration, and trust—and wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful 2026.

This past year has been another remarkable one for the Pandemic Fund. It has demonstrated what we can achieve when we work together with a shared purpose, even as global attention is stretched and resources are under increasing strain. Thanks to your collective commitment and willingness to work in new ways, an ambitious vision launched just three years ago has become a dynamic global partnership—one that is strengthening the foundations of pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) to stop outbreaks from escalating and to protect the health and security of people and nations worldwide.

Together, we have built a US$7 billion portfolio of 47 projects strengthening PPR capacities within and across 75 countries. Our reach will expand further. With projects recently selected under the third Call for Proposals at our Governing Board meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, the portfolio is set to grow to approximately US$11 billion, covering nearly 100 countries. A fourth funding round, planned for early 2026 and targeted to high-risk, high-need settings, is expected to further amplify the Fund’s impact where it matters most.

One of the most encouraging developments this year has been clear evidence that the Pandemic Fund’s country-led, collaborative, and catalytic financing model is reshaping how countries and regions approach and invest in preparedness. It has been energizing to see tangible results emerging on the ground, with early evidence pointing to meaningful and measurable progress. Our team continues to collect and analyze results, and we look forward to publishing our next progress report in early 2026. In the meantime, a few highlights to illustrate the breadth and depth of progress underway.

Across the portfolio, countries and regional entities are taking ownership of their preparedness agendas—embedding PPR into national priorities and governance structures, building local expertise, and committing substantial domestic resources alongside Pandemic Fund financing to ensure sustainability. Projects are deliberately multisectoral, applying strong One Health approaches to address zoonotic risks at their source and strengthen collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health systems. Many initiatives focus on shared vulnerabilities and cross-border risks, reinforcing regional public goods and coordination. PPR investments are being integrated into broader health system and development agendas, strengthening links to universal health coverage, while robust monitoring frameworks and civil society engagement enhance accountability and transparency.

In 75 low- and middle-income countries spanning six regions, surveillance systems are being strengthened through investments in infrastructure, digital platforms, and human capital, with a strong emphasis on community-based approaches. Investments are supporting wastewater surveillance, real-time and event-based outbreak detection, risk assessment, and data sharing. Countries are deploying new technologies—including thermal screening at airports, AI-assisted surveillance, genomic platforms, and GIS-based bio-surveillance—to improve early detection and response. Regional and cross-border initiatives are further enhancing coordination through integrated early-warning systems, border surveillance, data sharing, and simulation exercises, particularly in high-mobility and mass-gathering contexts.

Laboratory system strengthening is another priority. Based on country needs, projects are upgrading and establishing laboratories in underserved and border areas; supplying diagnostic equipment and reagents; and improving biosafety, quality management, accreditation, and digital connectivity across laboratory networks. Investments span zoonotic disease detection, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and genomic capacity. Several countries are developing comprehensive One Health laboratory networks aligned with international standards, while regional initiatives are expanding reference laboratory capacity and access to reliable diagnostics. In fragile settings, innovative solutions such as solar-powered cold chains are helping maintain service continuity and quality.

Workforce development underpins all preparedness efforts. Tens of thousands of professionals—including community health workers, veterinarians, laboratory technicians, epidemiologists, nurses, and doctors—are being recruited, trained, and supported. Field Epidemiology Training Programs are being launched or revitalized, and multisectoral outbreak investigation teams are being prepared for rapid response. Investments are strengthening skills in data analysis, GIS mapping, biosafety, quality management, food safety, and risk communication, anchoring preparedness gains in a capable, motivated, and locally grounded workforce.

We can all be proud of how far the Pandemic Fund has come in just three years, made possible by the leadership and support of our Governing Board, Technical Advisory Panel, Implementing Entities, External Advisory Council, partner countries and organizations, the World Bank as host of the partnership, and the exceptional dedication of our Secretariat team.

Yet much work remains. Recent outbreaks—from Marburg and Ebola in parts of Africa, to dengue across Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of the Pacific, and the growing detection of avian influenza worldwide—underscore the urgency of sustained investment in preparedness. Demand for Pandemic Fund support continues to far exceed available resources, with requests across the first three funding rounds surpassing available financing by more than sevenfold, even as countries commit substantial domestic resources of their own.

Looking ahead, my hope is that more governments, philanthropies, and private sector partners will join this collective global effort that benefits us all. In parallel, we will continue working to maximize the Fund’s catalytic impact by mobilizing additional co-financing—particularly from multilateral development banks—and by supporting countries to unlock further domestic resources.

There is still much to be done to build a safer, healthier world in which all people are protected from pandemic risk. Thank you again for your continued support and partnership, and warm wishes for the new year!
 

Best regards,
Priya Basu
Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund