Call for $1.6 million for project to prevent emerging diseases from animals to humans

The PreAct project, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), aims to increase understanding of emerging zoonotic diseases and is expected to be implemented in Thai Nguyen and Tien Giang provinces.

On March 21, the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) in collaboration with the Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Development (CIRAD) organized a consultation workshop on proposals for the PreAct project (Prezode in Act - Putting initiatives into action) within the framework of the Prezode Initiative - Prevention of zoonotic diseases, funded by the French Government through the French Development Agency (AFD).

Call for $1.6 million for project to prevent diseases transmitted from animals to humans

Mr. To Viet Chau - Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation said that the Prezode initiative has the participation of 29 member countries, focusing on research to prevent the emergence of diseases transmitted from animals to humans, of which the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (formerly the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) is a member in 2022.

Mr. To Viet Chau - Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) spoke at the workshop. Photo: DL

In Vietnam, the Center for International Cooperation on Agricultural Research and Development (CIRAD) is an active member of the Prezode initiative - actively coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through the Secretariat of the One Health Partnership on zoonotic disease prevention to prepare the PreAct project proposal.

The project is expected to be dedicated to the Southeast Asia region, with implementation in Vietnam in the period 2025-2028. Accordingly, the project aims to enhance understanding of emerging zoonotic diseases, identify and monitor risks through a bottom-up approach, strengthen cross-border risk management capacity, and enhance the operational efficiency of local agencies.

According to Mr. To Viet Chau, after 9 months of preparation since the first consultation meeting, key technical contents have been proposed to the French Development Agency (AFD) with a total expected capital of over 1.6 million USD for the two countries of Vietnam and the Philippines.

The project is expected to be divided into four components including risk identification, risk mitigation, community-based One Health monitoring and capacity building for One Health. The project is expected to be implemented in Tien Giang and Thai Nguyen.

Through the PreAct project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment hopes that the project will help create a long-term dialogue mechanism for science, policy and society; strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation; ensure the use of the One Health approach in decision-making mechanisms to optimize benefits;

In addition, it is providing research to demonstrate the intertwined benefits between economy and health through One Health; facilitating and accelerating stakeholder decisions; increasing private sector participation in green initiatives to ensure the health of the environment, people and livestock; and increasing stakeholder participation, changing thinking and awareness about One Health.

Vietnam - one of the leading countries in promoting One Health

Dr. Marisa Peyre, Deputy Head of ASTRE Research Unit, CIRAD, assessed that Vietnam is currently one of the leading countries not only in the region but also in the world in institutionalizing and applying the "One Health" approach.

Dr. Marisa Peyre, Deputy Head of ASTRE Research Unit, CIRAD, said that Vietnam is currently one of the leading countries not only in the region but also in the world in institutionalizing and applying the "One Health" approach. Photo: DL

Faced with the growing challenges and threats from infectious diseases spreading from animals to humans, Vietnam has built a strong policy, strategy and governance system, in line with the One Health Action Plan (1L) of four international organizations: WHO, FAO, UNEP and WOAH.

“We believe that the PreZode Initiative and the PreAct project will contribute positively to these goals and more. Vietnam is not only a pioneer in implementing One Health, but also has the potential to lead in demonstrating the added value of this approach through preventive measures to reduce the risk of pandemics,” said Dr. Marisa Peyre.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Head of the Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI Kenya) informed that Vietnam is considered one of the most dynamic countries in promoting the One Health approach. For the PreAct project, although it has received partial funding from the French Government, to expand the scale of activities in Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries, more funding is needed.

The Pandemic Fund opens up opportunities to mobilize these resources, while helping to increase the presence and impact of the Prezode initiative at both the regional and national levels – in which Vietnam is one of the first countries to sign on and play a pioneering role.

Delegates take souvenir photos at the Consultation Workshop for the PreAct project proposal.

According to information from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, 75% of dangerous and emerging diseases are zoonotic or have genetic origins from animal diseases. Vietnam is one of the hot spots for zoonotic diseases such as influenza A(H5N1), SARS, rabies, anthrax, plague, and parasites.

Source: https://danviet.vn/keu-goi-16-trieu-usd-cho-du-an-phong-chong-dich-benh-moi-noi-tu-dong-vat-sang-nguoi-20250322004323301.htm