Kigali/April 2026 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with financial support from the World Bank/Pandemic Fund, has officially handed over 7 project vehicles to delivery partners implementing the regional project Strengthening One Health–Based Pandemic PPR in the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL). The handover is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional capacity to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic disease threats of pandemic potential across the Greater Virunga Landscape, spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Participants pose for a group photo in front of vehicles following the official handover ceremony. @FAORwanda
Implemented by FAO in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the project is being delivered through a consortium led by the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC). Other delivery partners include WWF Uganda, WWF DRC, Gorilla Doctors, IGCP, and IUCN.
The vehicles are expected to facilitate project implementation, enhance disease surveillance, enhance mobility for wildlife health monitoring, sample transport, community engagementand improve overall coordination among delivery partners working across the transboundary landscape. The official handover ceremony also highlights the shared commitment of FAO, governments, implementing entities, and delivery partners to strengthening One Health collaboration in the region.
“The handover of these vehicles demonstrates FAO’s commitment to supporting delivery partners with the operational tools they need to implement project activities effectively,” said Mohamed Aw-Dahir, FAO Representative. “By improving mobility, coordination, and field presence, this support will contribute to stronger disease surveillance and reinforce One Health collaboration across the Greater Virunga Landscape.”
Speaking on behalf of the lead delivery partner, the GVTC representative Dr. Andrew G. Seguya said, “This support is a valuable contribution to our collective efforts under the project. The vehicles will strengthen our ability to reach priority field locations, improve coordination among partners, and support more timely action to address zoonotic disease threats across borders.”
The ceremony brought together representatives of FAO and delivery partners . It included signing handover documents, presenting keys, and engaging the media to promote visibility for the project and donor support.
The handover is expected to enhance field operational capacity for surveillance and control efforts, increase visibility of the World Bank/Pandemic Fund’s support, and strengthen collaboration among institutions working to safeguard animal, human, and ecosystem health in the Greater Virunga Landscape.
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