15 May 2024 NAIROBI, Kenya, The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), in partnership with the participating countries, have launched the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Programme (HEPRR) for the East and Southern Africa region today at Agyle Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
The Programme, funded by the World Bank Group (WBG) with a commitment of 1 billion USD over seven years, aims to deliver a sustained, comprehensive, and transformational impact on health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience using the Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA).
The first phase of the Programme will focus on implementation in countries across East and Southern Africa, specifically targeting Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sao Tome and Principe. Subsequently, Phase 2 will encompass Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia.
ECSA-HC and IGAD are the regional coordinating organisations supporting the implementation of the Programme.
The launch event was officiated by the chief guest, Hon. Susan Nakhumicha, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Kenya, along with H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Hon. Prof. Yoswa Dambisya, Director General of ECSA-HC, Keith E. Hansen, Country Director of the World Bank in Kenya, and the Hon. Ministers of Health representing the participating countries.
The event included a high-level ministerial panel with opening statements from the Ministers of Health of the participating countries, focusing on “Health Emergencies on the Continent Post-COVID-19: Lessons, Priority Actions, and Preparations for the Next Pandemic.”
