Malawi Secures US$25 Million Pandemic Fund Grant to Bolster Pandemic Preparedness

Malawi Awarded Significant Pandemic Fund Grant

Malawi is set to receive a substantial grant of US$25 million from the Pandemic Fund, aimed at significantly enhancing its capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). The approval was made by the Pandemic Fund Governing Board during its meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 19, 2025, as part of its 3rd Call for Proposals. This funding is specifically designated to support Malawi's efforts through a comprehensive One Health Approach.

The Pandemic Fund: A Global Initiative for Health Security

The Pandemic Fund stands as the first multilateral financing mechanism exclusively dedicated to strengthening critical PPR capacities, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. Established by its Governing Board on September 8-9, 2022, following a directive from the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the Fund is hosted by the World Bank and receives technical leadership from the World Health Organization (WHO). Its mission is to mobilize additional resources, incentivize national investments in PPR, and foster greater coordination among global health stakeholders. To date, the Pandemic Fund has allocated grants totaling US$885 million across two funding rounds, catalyzing an additional US$6 billion in resources for 75 countries. The recent 3rd Call for Proposals saw an additional US$500 million in grants approved for 32 countries.

Embracing the One Health Approach

A cornerstone of Malawi's grant is the adoption of the One Health Approach. This integrated and unifying strategy seeks to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment, recognizing their inherent interdependence. Experts highlight that approximately three-quarters of all emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, underscoring the critical importance of this holistic perspective in preventing future pandemics. The Quadripartite organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WHO, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), have championed this interdisciplinary method through the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA). Projects implementing this approach typically focus on key areas such as:

• Strengthening multisectoral coordination across relevant ministries and stakeholders.
• Reinforcing human and animal health surveillance systems.
• Improving national laboratory capacities and quality enforcement.
• Training a multisectoral health workforce, including surge capacity.
• Engaging communities in early detection and response efforts.

Impact and Future Outlook for Malawi

The US$25 million grant, officially titled 'Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response through One Health Approach in Malawi (SP3ROHAM)', will enable Malawi to implement targeted interventions across these critical areas. By investing in a robust One Health framework, Malawi aims to build more resilient health systems capable of detecting, preventing, and responding effectively to future health crises. This strategic investment is expected to fortify the nation's defenses against potential pandemics, safeguarding public health and economic stability.