Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward

World Health Organization (WHO) played an important role in supporting the Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) apply for awards from the Pandemic Fund – a vital source of funding for pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of this commentary is to reflect the contributions of...

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Main Authors: Mohamed Elhakim, Amgad Elkholy, Mary Stephen, Richard John Brennan, Ahmed Zouiten
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Global Health Action
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2475596
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author Mohamed Elhakim
Amgad Elkholy
Mary Stephen
Richard John Brennan
Ahmed Zouiten
author_facet Mohamed Elhakim
Amgad Elkholy
Mary Stephen
Richard John Brennan
Ahmed Zouiten
author_sort Mohamed Elhakim
collection DOAJ
description World Health Organization (WHO) played an important role in supporting the Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) apply for awards from the Pandemic Fund – a vital source of funding for pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of this commentary is to reflect the contributions of WHO EMR during the first two funding rounds of the Pandemic Fund, while highlighting the lessons learned, and addressing the ongoing challenges faced across the region. As EMR Member States continue to build and strengthen their health security capacities, WHO’s involvement has catalyzed the improvement of early warning systems, laboratory capacity, and workforce development. However, challenges remain, including sustainability, enhancing regional cooperation, the widespread state fragility, and multiple conflicts across the region.
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spelling doaj-art-e37bc91266df4f3c8d9fdbc9eff66cad2025-08-20T02:58:43ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802025-12-0118110.1080/16549716.2025.24755962475596Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forwardMohamed Elhakim0Amgad Elkholy1Mary Stephen2Richard John Brennan3Ahmed Zouiten4World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeWorld Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeWorld Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeRegional Emergency Director, WHO Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional OfficeEgypt/WHO Representative Libya Country OfficeWorld Health Organization (WHO) played an important role in supporting the Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) apply for awards from the Pandemic Fund – a vital source of funding for pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of this commentary is to reflect the contributions of WHO EMR during the first two funding rounds of the Pandemic Fund, while highlighting the lessons learned, and addressing the ongoing challenges faced across the region. As EMR Member States continue to build and strengthen their health security capacities, WHO’s involvement has catalyzed the improvement of early warning systems, laboratory capacity, and workforce development. However, challenges remain, including sustainability, enhancing regional cooperation, the widespread state fragility, and multiple conflicts across the region.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2475596pandemic fundeastern mediterranean regionglobal health securityinternational health regulationshealth preparednesscovid-19 gains
spellingShingle Mohamed Elhakim
Amgad Elkholy
Mary Stephen
Richard John Brennan
Ahmed Zouiten
Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward
Global Health Action
pandemic fund
eastern mediterranean region
global health security
international health regulations
health preparedness
covid-19 gains
title Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward
title_full Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward
title_fullStr Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward
title_full_unstemmed Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward
title_short Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward
title_sort two rounds of the pandemic fund at the who eastern mediterranean region progress lessons learned challenges and way forward
topic pandemic fund
eastern mediterranean region
global health security
international health regulations
health preparedness
covid-19 gains
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2475596
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