THE United States is proud to partner with Tanzania to secure a $25 million grant from the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund. A statement released yesterday by US Embassy in Dar es Salaam said the grant is part of a global effort to bolster pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capacities in 40 countries across six geographical regions.

In addition to this, the United States through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to contribute $3.2 million of the accumulated $13.7 million in matching funds for Tanzania.

Mobilizing matching funds from participating countries and donor partners is a key aim of the Pandemic Fund.  The United States also provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Health as part of support of Tanzania’s strengthening public health preparedness.  

“This partnership reflects a core part of President Biden’s Global Health Security Strategy to strengthen public health capacities that prevent and protect against future global pandemics,” said US Ambassador Michael Battle. 

“By including complementary US investments, we are providing more effective support to the government of Tanzania in its aim to protect all Tanzanians from disease outbreaks.”

Through the investments and as the largest government donor to pandemic preparedness, the United States reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to work alongside the government of Tanzania and the international donor community to strengthen Tanzania’s resilience against disease outbreaks. 

Launched in 2022, the Pandemic Fund is the first global, multilateral financing initiative aimed at empowering low- and middle-income countries to strengthen their preparedness for future pandemics. In July this year, the United States pledged up to $667 million to the Pandemic Fund, demonstrating its leadership as one of the top contributors.