Lok Sabha Question No. 2634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Pandemic Fund Project
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  AUGUST 2025

## PANDEMIC FUND PROJECT

2634. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen the country's preparedness for pandemic response  under  the  Pandemic  Fund  project,  including  the  key  initiatives  and  strategies  for enhancing disease surveillance, laboratory infrastructure and cross-border collaboration; (b) the manner in which this initiative will help in reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans, particularly through the implementation of the One Health approach, genomic and environmental surveillance and the development of FMD-free zones; (c)  the  amount  allocated  for  the  Pandemic  Fund  project,  including  details  of  financial contributions from the Government and international partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank; and (d) the details on utilization of this funds utilized for strengthening animal health systems and pandemic preparedness in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (PROF S P SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) and (b) The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying secured a grant under the G20 Pandemic Fund Project titled 'Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response' , launched on 25th October 2024 .

The initiative aims to reduce the risk of pathogens emerging from both domesticated and wild animals and spilling over into human populations, thereby protecting public health, nutritional security, and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Key objectives of the project include:

- Augmenting laboratory systems
- Enhancing surveillance and early warning systems
- Strengthening capacity, competency, and human resource development
- Advancing data systems, analytics, risk analysis, and risk communication
- Addressing institutional capacity gaps at national and regional levels

Key activities undertaken under the project to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases include:

- Gap assessments of laboratories to support accreditation
- Establishment of national laboratory networks for transboundary and zoonotic disease surveillance, including genomic surveillance and early warning systems
- Development of digital tools for laboratory self-assessment, biosecurity, and integrated information management
- Capacity building for field epidemiologists and animal health professionals
- Development of risk communication strategies and community awareness initiatives for early reporting and behaviour change
- Training and engagement of community-level animal health workers for early detection, response, and outreach in rural and remote areas

(c) and (d) The project received a grant of USD 25 million from the G20 Pandemic Fund, which has been allocated among the three Implementing Entities (IEs) as follows: USD 12.00 million to the Asian Development Bank, USD 8.714 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization, and USD 4.285 million to the World Bank. As of 30th June 2025, USD 0.837 million has been utilised from the USD 5.442 million released to the IEs.

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