Erika Placella received her Master degree in History of Medicine at the University of Geneva. She completed her education with a specialization in Public Health and various additional trainings, including at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and ICRC/WHO.
Erika Placella has over 22 years of experience in public health and global health. She is currently the Head of Health at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Dr Anban Pillay is the Deputy Director General responsible for Health Regulation and Compliance at the National Department of Health in South Africa. He has served in various roles at the National Department of Health over the past 20 years. These include development of pharmaceutical policies on medicine registration, treatment guidelines, medicine formularies, procurement and service delivery strategies. He has also been instrumental in the developmental of the Universal Health Coverage (National Health Insurance) policy and legislative development in South Africa.
Dr Joy St John’s 30 year career in Public Health has allowed her to give service at the national, regional and global levels.
She rose through the ranks of Public Health in Barbados to become the first Barbadian to be Chief Medical Officer of her country, from 2005 to 2017.
She has served as the Director and most recently in June 2024, completed 5 years as the first female Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
Dr Chikwe Andreas IHEKWEAZU, MBBS, DCH&TM, MPH, EPIET, FFPH
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu is Assistant Director-General at the Health Emergencies Programme of the World Health Organization.
Pandemic Preparedness and Response through a One Health Approach
The Pandemic Fund grant of $27 million will support a regional response to shared current and emerging threats to public health and food security in Central Asia. The five Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, have historically faced common health, economic, social, developmental, and environmental vulnerabilities. As examples, zoonoses are very prevalent in the region and are expected to increase due to growing livestock production, regional trade, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
For inquiries about this project: Dr. Pierre Gerber -
For media inquiries: Anita Rozowska - arozowska@worldbankgroup.org
For general inquiries: the_pandemic_fund@worldbank.org
Pandemic Response Optimization Through Engaged Communities and Territories (PROTECT)
The Amazon Region accounts for approximately half of the earth’s biodiversity and its ecosystems are susceptible to the effects of climate change and human interference. Communities in the Amazon Basin are especially vulnerable to pandemic risks stemming from their remoteness and from exposure to wild vectors in tropical and subtropical areas. Arboviral diseases, acute diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory illnesses, and vaccine-preventable diseases are all significant risks. Poverty is widespread and infrastructure is limited.
For inquiries about this project: Dr. Ciro Ugarte -
For media inquiries: Anita Rozowska - arozowska@worldbankgroup.org
For general inquiries: the_pandemic_fund@worldbank.org
Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems, and Workforce Development
In recent years the Caribbean region has experienced many infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19, cholera, Chikungunya, dengue, H1N1, mpox, SARS, and Zika, which have had profound human, economic, and social impacts. Within the context of public health security, countries in the Caribbean are characterized by small populations with varying surveillance, laboratory, and human resource capacities. The region is highly interconnected with porous borders, heavy reliance on tourism, and vulnerability to climate change and disasters.
For inquiries about this project: Dr. Lisa Indar - indarlis@CARPHA.ORG
For media inquiries: Anita Rozowska - arozowska@worldbankgroup.org
For general inquiries: the_pandemic_fund@worldbank.org
Multisectoral Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project
Zambia has a high burden of communicable disease, including malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. Bordered by eight countries, it lies in a region rife with disease outbreaks. Within Zambia, the expansion of agriculture, tourism, and mining increases and changes the human-animal-environment interface in ways that could potentially lead to the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases with pandemic potential.
For inquiries about this project: Prof. Roma Chilengi -
For media inquiries: Anita Rozowska - arozowska@worldbankgroup.org
For general inquiries: the_pandemic_fund@worldbank.org
Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project
The Yemen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project is a partnership between the Government of Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries (MAIF), civil society organizations, and three Implementing Entities (IEs) including FAO, UNICEF, and WHO. The Project is supported by a $26 million grant from the Pandemic Fund and will leverage an additional $82 million in co-financing and $6 million in co-investment to support Yemen’s efforts in building its capacity in preparedness and response.
For inquiries about this project: Dr. Mosleh Toali -
For media inquiries: Anita Rozowska - arozowska@worldbankgroup.org
For general inquiries: the_pandemic_fund@worldbank.org
