IGAD Hosts High-Level Consultative Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness, Prepared Project.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), together with partners WHO and IFRC, convened a high-level technical consultative meeting under the PREPARED Project to strengthen regional readiness for pandemics and health emergencies. This event was graced by delegations from MOFA, MOH, IFRC and different implementing partners and heads of IGAD Missions in the Region.

In opening, H.E. Dr. Fatuma Adan, IGAD Head of Mission in Kenya, welcomed delegates and emphasized the importance of collective action in ensuring that IGAD member states are adequately equipped to respond to future outbreaks. She underscored the value of cross-border collaboration under the One Health approach and highlighted the critical role of communities in localizing preparedness efforts.

 H.E. Joselyn Bigirwa, IGAD Head of Mission to Uganda, in her remarks formally welcomed all participants on behalf of IGAD’s Executive Secretary. She appreciated Uganda for hosting the meeting, recognizing the country’s strong record in responding to past outbreaks such as Ebola, MPox, and COVID-19. She stressed that the consultations were not only about launching the PREPARED Project but also about critically reviewing strategies, governance structures, and accountability mechanisms to ensure technical soundness and sustainability.

Representatives from IGAD member states, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative. IFRC emphasized the power of community engagement and cross-border cooperation, while WHO highlighted lessons from COVID-19, ongoing regional vulnerabilities, and the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, early detection, and equitable access to health resources.

Represented by the Head of Regional Peace and Security Department, Dr. Edith Namutebi and Director-General of Ministry of Health Dr. Charles Olaro both representatives reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional collaboration, drawing from recent experience in managing Mpox and other outbreaks. They called for stronger multi-sectoral partnerships, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, to build a resilient regional health system. Dr. Namutebi also under-scored the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose mandate extends beyond Uganda’s borders, saying that it is in this spirit that Uganda is honored to host this important consultative meeting under the PREPARED Project.

 “This gathering is more than just a meeting, it is a platform to strengthen governance and structural preparedness, laying a firm foundation for effective regional emergency responses,” said Namutebi. Reflecting on Uganda’s recent experiences with Mpox and COVID-19, she reminded participants that no country is safe to work alone in times of crisis. Instead, regional solidarity and cooperation remain vital in safeguarding health security for all.

The chair of the IGAD Member States delegation, representing Djibouti stressed out the urgency of reinforcing preparedness systems against cross-border health threats with emphasis on how this consultative meeting marks an important milestone for IGAD’s PREPARED Project, bringing governments and partners together to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response capacity across the Horn of Africa.