The Workshop on Strengthening One Health-Based Pandemic Prevention Preparedness  and Response in the Greater Virunga Landscape (SOHGVL) is taking place at Park Inn by Radisson, Kigali, Rwanda from the 11-14 February 2025 bringing together the implementing Entities (IEs)—FAO, WHO, and UNICEF—and three Delivering Partners (DPs)—GVTC, GD, and WWF, in collaboration with IUCN, IGCP.

The Pandemic Fund funds the Strengthening One Health-based PPR in the Greater Virunga Landscape (SOHGVL) project. It aims to enhance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) across DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda. With a budget of US$ 24,552,026.73, the project will be implemented by three Implementing Entities (IEs)—FAO, WHO, and UNICEF—and three Delivering Partners (DPs)—GVTC, GD, and WWF, in collaboration with IUCN, IGCP, government ministries, GDROHL, UVRI, INCB, RDB, universities, and community-based organisations (CBOs).

The workshop commenced with opening remarks from representatives of the Delivering Partners (GD, WWF, and GVTC), the Implementing Entities (FAO, UNICEF, and WHO), and the Government of Rwanda. A key takeaway from the opening session was the urgent need for collaborative efforts in pandemic risk management and the integration of One Health-based PPR strategies across the Greater Virunga Landscape.

The project aims to:

• Strengthen viral pathogen surveillance at high-risk human-animal interfaces.
• Improve health screening, laboratory analysis, and biobanking.
• Establish lab networks across human, animal, and wildlife sectors.
• Develop multi-sectoral digital disease surveillance and early warning systems.
• Integrate One Health-based PPR SOPs and conduct gender-responsive training.

All partners reiterated their full commitment to the three-year project to enhance cross-border disease surveillance, establish an early warning system, and facilitate data sharing and rapid response teams.

Mr Mutangana Eugene officially opened the workshop for the Government of Rwanda, representing the RDB, Ministry of Health, and Rwanda Nature Foundation.

Juvenal Mukeshimana

GVTC Program Assistant