Addendum 6 - Global Health Security-REV CO Signed.pdf

Procurement Sensitive

ADDENDUM 6: Global Health Security Activity

CALL FOR CONCEPT PAPERS UNDER USAID/PHILIPPINES MISSION

ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT (APS) No. 72049223APS00001

(Local Philippines Organization Set Aside)

PLEASE NOTE: This is Addendum 6 to an existing USAID/Philippines Mission APS. All interested applicants should carefully review both this addendum and the full Universal Health Care Project Annual Program Statement (UHCP APS) No.72049223APS00001, which can be found at www.grants.gov. Important information in the APS is not repeated in this Addendum.

ADDENDUM ISSUANCE DATE: December 12, 2024

QUESTIONS SUBMISSION CLOSING DATE: January 17, 2024, 3:00 PM Philippine Time

ADDENDUM SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 28, 2024, 3:00 PM Philippine Time

Estimated Funding: US$21.6 Million (subject to availability of funds)

Period of Performance: 2025 – 2030

Addendum 6 - The Global Health Security (GHS) Activity: The USAID/Philippines Mission is requesting the submission of concept papers from local Philippine organizations only. Concept papers must demonstrate how the applicant will support the Government of the Philippines by working with stakeholders and partners on the shared goals of improving the lives of Filipinos by building resilient systems able to prevent, detect and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. Applicants are expected to think creatively and propose solutions to meet the objectives in the APS supported by robust analyses, development hypotheses, and a theory of change. This Activity will contribute to USAID’s Universal Health Care Project (UHCP) purpose of, “Improved health for underserved and vulnerable Filipinos,” through activities that are aligned with the UHCP’s results framework along the three key pillars of: positive social norms and behaviors adopted; high quality and responsive services delivered; and health system performance and resilience improved.

Applicants are advised to read Section A of the UHCP APS and Section A of Addendum #1 - HealthSystems Strengthening (HSS), before proceeding. There is important information in the APS and the HSS Addendum that is not repeated in this addendum.

http://www.grants.gov http://www.grants.gov

NOTE: Due to an uptick of fraud in the country, USAID would also like to remind applicants that USAID never charges fees in order to submit an application.

Sincerely, Jennifer L. Crow Supervisory Agreement Officer Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance USAID/Philippines

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Introduction and Context

Since its launch in 2014, the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) has emphasized the need for a coordinated global effort to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats. USAID’s Global Health Security (GHS) Program fulfills the US Government’s commitment to GHSA (2014) and the additional approaches stated in Executive Order 13747 (2016), Global Health Security Strategy (2019; 20241), the National Security Memorandum-1 (2021), the National Security Strategy (2022), the National Defense Authorisation Act (2022) and National Biodefense Strategy (2022)2 by prioritizing strengthened prevention, detection and response capacities in partner countries. USAID’s GHS investments largely focus on technical areas outlined in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) Tool3 for the International Health Regulations (IHR) through a sustained and coordinated One Health (OH) approach. The “One Health” approach recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment, and it involves effective, multi-sectoral collaboration at the local, national, regional, and global levels.

Similar to other countries in the region, the Philippines continues to face threats from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, the majority of which are zoonotic in origin (transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa). Some of these emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) include Leptospirosis, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Avian Influenza (AI), novel influenza A (H1N1), Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other hemorrhagic viral diseases, Henipavirus, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and other Coronaviruses. EID outbreaks pose a continuing significant threat to global health that are not limited to the Philippines.

The COVID-19 pandemic has offered critical lessons, including on the importance of strong and resilient health systems, political leadership, diplomatic engagement , multi-sectoral approaches, risk communication and community engagement, and research partnerships. The pandemic also underscored the need for improving equitable access to medical countermeasures from prevention and preparedness, early detection and surveillance, response coordination, treatment and care, public communication, and recovery and evaluation. The COVID-19 pandemic also revealed significant challenges to the health system due to limited resources, weak capacity, and poorly equipped facilities. Gaps in human resources for health (HRH) at all levels affected pandemic response, delivery of essential health services, and vaccination roll-out. These continuing challenges are likely to impact the country’s capacity to respond to other new and emerging health threats.

The purpose of Addendum 6 - Global Health Security is to develop local capacity to prevent, 3 Joint external evaluation of IHR core capacities Republic of the Philippines (WHO, 2018)

2 The White House National Biodefense strategy and implementation plan 2022

1 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, 2024 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-WHE-CPI-2019.57 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/National-Biodefense-Strategy-and-Implementation-Plan-Final.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Global-Health-Security-Strategy-2024-1.pdf detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), through a One Health, multi-sectoral approach.

A.2 Context for USAID’s Global Health Security work in the Philippines

USAID/Philippines prioritizes building national and local capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats through multi-sectoral approaches involving human, animal and environmental health. USAID/Philippines works with global, national and sub-national organizations across various sectors. The USAID/Philippines GHS program started in August 2022, after the Philippines was identified as an Intensive Support Partner of the United States Government. USAID/Philippines’ Global Health Security Portfolio is implemented in coordination with the Government of Philippines (Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and other US Government agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the State Department, and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Additionally, the portfolio works in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and an array of international partners, including FHI360, the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), the University of California-Davis, and the Johns Hopkins University. USAID also coordinates GHS work with international donors such as the Global Fund, Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, World Bank, Korean International Cooperation Agency, and others.

USAID’s GHS activities support the Philippines’ efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including building capacity in the following technical areas: zoonosis, biosafety and biosecurity, surveillance, laboratory system, antimicrobial resistance, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, and human resource development. The aim is to reach at least a “demonstrated capacity” based on the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and the IHR States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR).

A.3 Problem Statement

The Philippines is experiencing a rise in outbreaks and is facing significant threats from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Based on the country’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and findings from the 2018 Joint External Evaluation (JEE), the country renewed efforts to strengthen standards and systems to meet International Health Regulations (IHR) commitments. Key challenges include the need for stronger political commitment and accountability, the absence of a comprehensive national action plan for health security, variability in local surveillance systems, limited capacity for multi-sectoral coordination and communication, and suboptimal local capacity for preparedness, detection, and response.

These issues hinder the country's ability to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.

Efforts to address these challenges should enhance local implementation of health security by building sub-national institutional capacity and optimizing preparedness and response efforts through local political commitment; localized action planning encompassing human resource development and surge capacity; improved infection, prevention, and control against zoonotic diseases and the emergence and spread of AMR; enhanced local capacity for risk communication and community engagement; improved surveillance and data management;

increased laboratory capacity for early detection; and robust multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms.

A.4 Activity Description

The purpose of Addendum 6 - GHS is to develop sub-national capacity (regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangays) to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), through a One Health approach.

The initiative will focus on enhancing political commitment, accountability, monitoring and evaluation practices, and the overall capacity of the health sector. It aims to develop and implement comprehensive action plans for health security, improve multi-sectoral coordination, and optimize preparedness and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including zoonoses and AMR. Endemic diseases are not a priority for this activity. Please refer to the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease for a list of reportable EIDs, however this list should be contextualized to risks specific to the priority areas being targeted by this Activity and in consultation with USAID.

The Activity will require the review and adoption of the IHR and other documents relevant to global health security, including but not limited to National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS)4, Joint External Evaluation (JEE) 2018, Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III)5, IHR States Parties Self-Assessment Report6 (SPAR), etc.

for sub-national implementation. It aims to develop and implement a comprehensive program on health security at the local level (regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangays) for priority regions (See Section XII Geographic Coverage and Focus Sites).

The Activity will support the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and guidelines that align with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the recommendations of the Joint External Assessments (JEE) team. It will build the capacity of regional and local public and private sector stakeholders and communities engaged in One Health and Health Security activities to oversee and implement effective and responsive Health Security programs.

The initiative will introduce new approaches and tools for health security, from the regional, provincial, municipality/city level and barangays, ensuring that the systems are robust and resilient.

6 https://extranet.who.int/e-spar/

5 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789290618171

4 The 5-year National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) for the Philippines will be developed after the second JEE, which is scheduled in November 2024.

https://biosecurity.fas.org/resource/documents/NIAID_priority_pathogens-1-07.pdf

This Activity will link local health security initiatives to primary health care, infectious disease diagnostics, and clinical management with the health care provider network (where applicable) under UHC and a comprehensive outbreak response that includes community volunteers and frontline workers (such as barangay health emergency response team, local wildlife officers, and local biosafety and biosecurity officers).

While the primary focus of this GHS Activity will be on building subnational capacities to prevent, detect and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats and AMR, it will coordinate closely with other programs and One Health activities to build resilient and sustainable health systems at all levels. This approach will ensure a comprehensive and cohesive approach to enhancing the Philippines' capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.

Expected outcomes of this Activity include, but are not limited to:

- Strengthened One Health approach to GHS at the sub-national level (regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangays), including building local multi-sectoral partnerships and workforce development that include human, animal, plant, and environment sectors;

- Leveraging of Universal Health Care (UHC) and primary health care in capacitating local government units (LGUs) to prevent, detect, and respond to health security threats;

- Inclusion of potential emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases and AMR prevention capacity in health service delivery and in clinical management;

- Improvements made to select the International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities based on the upcoming 2024 Joint External Evaluation (JEE);

- 7-1-7 principles integrated into health security plans and implemented as part of outbreak response at sub-national levels;

- Risk communication and community engagement integrated into AMR and zoonosis prevention, detection, and response;

- Information, data, lessons learned, and best practices shared across sectors and sub-national and national interagency platforms; and

- AMR stewardship principles promoted and implemented across One Health sectors.

In summary, the Philippines recognizes the importance of vigilance against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, aiming for a resilient and bio-secure nation.

A.5. Illustrative Objectives and Intermediate Results

Illustrative objectives and intermediate results are presented below. Applicants are encouraged to apply innovative approaches and strategies to meet the expected results.

Objective 1 (Prevent): Prevent the Emergence and Re-emergence of Zoonotic Diseases and

AMR

Intermediate Result 1.1: Primary health care providers and local animal health providers

(local veterinarian/ municipal agriculturists) understand and implement preventive measures for zoonotic spillover.

Intermediate Result 1.2: Costed local health security plan in place and regularly reviewed and updated to include simulation exercises.

Intermediate Result 1.3: Multi-sectoral workforce trained and empowered at the local levels.

Intermediate Result 1.4: Strengthened Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) implementation in facilities (i.e. human and animal hospitals/clinics, including laboratories).

Intermediate Result 1.5: Risk communication and community engagement plan for AMR and zoonotic disease prevention in place at the sub-national level.

Objective 2 (Detect): Strengthen Surveillance Systems to Detect and Report Disease Outbreaks

Intermediate Result 2.1: Local surveillance systems in place to detect emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases as they emerge in humans and animals.

Intermediate Result 2.2: The 7-1-7 reporting principle adopted and in use.

Intermediate Result 2.3: Information shared across human, animal, and environment sectors at local levels.

Intermediate Result 2.4: LGUs have timely access to laboratories that are able to test for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and AMR, including specimen transport and rapid diagnostic testing.

Objective 3 (Respond): Enhance Multi-sectoral Response during Disease Outbreaks

Intermediate Result 3.1: Timely and effective local response to human and animal zoonosis outbreaks following the 7-1-7 principle, to include after action review (AAR).

Intermediate Result 3.2: Risk communication and community engagement for AMR and zoonotic disease response at the sub-national level.

Intermediate Result 3.3: Functional multi-sectoral response mechanism in place for outbreaks of zoonotic diseases at sub-national levels.

Intermediate Result 3.4: Mitigate spread of AMR in local hospital outbreaks.

A.6 Geographic Coverage and Focus Sites

The Activity will prioritize the three most populous regions in the Philippines—the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3 (Central Luzon), and Region 4A (Calabarzon)—while maintaining the flexibility to deploy resources rapidly to assist in global health security emergencies.

Additional sites may be considered, focusing on highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and areas with a high risk of pathogen spillover and disease transmission between animals and humans, particularly during health emergencies requiring urgent resource mobilization.

A.7 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

The GHS Activity will follow USAID Evaluation Policy for monitoring, evaluation, and learning. It will prioritize consistent data utilization and for design, adaptation, and quality assurance, enhancing transparency and evidence based practices. USAID will establish a participatory monitoring and evaluation system from the local to national level and ensure continuous quality improvement. GHS outcomes will align with the Philippines’ health goals and USAID/Philippines’ priorities, including aligning with DOH and USAID targets, and shall be tracked through the Development Information System (DIS). As part of the UHCP, the GHS Activity will collaborate with other UHCP components, working with all UHCP activities, the Health component of the Mission’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (PIMMELA) Activity, and partners at convergence and focus sites.

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding

Subject to funding availability, USAID intends to provide an amount in the range of USD $17,500,000 to USD $21,600,000 in total funding over a five-year period to support the Activity described in Section A. It also intends to issue one award under this addendum but reserves the right to issue more than one or no awards under this addendum.

B.2 Period of Performance

The period of performance is five years from the award start date. Applicants should tailor their concept paper to the proposed period of performance.

B.3 Contents and Organization of Concept Papers

Applicants must propose an approach(es) and specific activities that will achieve all goals, objectives, and intermediate results in the program description in Section A of this addendum.

Submission instructions are presented later in this addendum.

B.4 Geographic Code

Please refer to the APS Section B.4 Geographic Code.

B.5 Type of Award and Substantial Involvement

USAID/Philippines anticipates issuing one cooperative agreement in response to this addendum, in which case USAID/Philippines will be substantially involved. USAID/Philippines, however, reserves the right to issue a grant or fixed amount award. Please see the Section B.5 of the APS for more information on substantial involvement.

B.6 Emergency Response Provision

Please refer to the APS.

[End of Section B]

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Entities

Please see Section C.1 Eligibility Information of the UHCP APS for general eligibility information regarding organizations.

Given that the attainment of the results envisioned under this Addendum requires a thorough understanding of the local context and an expert ability to liaise and coordinate across many levels of government and various national entities, eligibility is restricted to local Philippine organizations only, regional organizations operating in the country does not qualify as local entity.

Local entity means an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that—

(1) is legally organized under the laws of;

(2) has as its principal place of business or operations in; and

(3) is (A) majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and

(B) managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of a country receiving assistance.

Applicants are advised to refer to ADS 303.6 for additional information defining a local entity.

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their local status in Section D.4 of this addendum. Submissions without evidence as prescribed in D.4 will not be accepted.

Applicants may engage non-local entities as subrecipients. However, the nature of this solicitation is to build the capacity of local entities and the Recipient should be responsible for direct implementation of a majority of activities.

C.2 Cost Sharing

No cost share is required.

C.3 Limitations on Submission

Please refer to Section C.3 of the APS Amendment 1.

C.4 Teaming Agreements

Please refer to Section C.4 of the APS Amendment 1.

C.5 Unique Entity Identification

Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) or show evidence of a submitted application for a UEI when submitting a concept paper under this addendum. UEIs may be obtained at the System for Award Management (SAM) website at https://sam.gov/content/home. Prime applicants must have an active SAM to be eligible for award. Proposed subrecipients only require to have a UEI.

[End of Section C] https://sam.gov/content/home

SECTION D: CONCEPT PAPER SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D. 1 Agency Point of Contact

Questions Questions regarding the APS should be emailed to manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov (copy aferrer@usaid.gov) by the date and time stated on the cover page of this APS.

In the subject field of the email write, “Questions for UHCP APS Addendum # - Organization Name” Please return to grants.gov after the deadline to review the answers.

D.2 Concept Paper Submission Instructions and Format

Refer to Section D.1 and D.2 of the APS Amendment 1 for:

● Concept Paper Submission Instructions

● Concept Paper Format, Content, and Instructions

Supplemental instructions on the Concept Paper Submission Instructions specific to this Addendum are as follows:

The First Page - The first page of the concept paper must be the completed Standard Cover Page (Attachment 1) of the APS Amendment 1.

Technical Approach - Applicants should follow the instructions for the Technical Approach provided in Section D.2 of the APS Amendment 1.

Management and Staffing Plan - Applicants should follow the instructions for Management and Staffing Plan provided in Section D.2 of the APS Amendment 1. Additionally, it is critical that the GHS Activity utilizes a staffing structure that can meet the stated technical objectives, while remaining adaptive and flexible to address needs that may arise at both central and local levels.

Rapid start-up will be critical to ensure continuity of services, and the Applicant should include a start-up and mobilization plan in its Management and Staffing Plan. Applicants should demonstrate expertise in, or access to, specialists in the range of technical areas needed to effectively implement the work as outlined above. The staffing pattern should reflect a minimum number of highly experienced technical expertise positions sufficient to conduct activities anticipated under the award.

Institutional Capability - Applicants should follow the instructions for Institutional Capability provided in Section D.2 of the APS Amendment 1 for this section.

NOTE: Applicants should review the merit review criteria in Section E of the APS Amendment 1 before drafting concept papers to understand how concept papers will be evaluated. Concept papers should demonstrate the technical and managerial capability to implement an award with respect to the merit review criteria. Previous USAID experience is not required for an award;

mailto:manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov mailto:aferrer@usaid.gov http://grants.gov however the Applicant should ensure it is prepared to have the technical and operational capacity to administer a USAID award.

Clarity and specificity are critical. Applicants should become familiar with the USAID/Philippines development portfolio found on https://www.usaid.gov/philippines.

USAID/Philippines will confirm receipt of a concept paper. As detailed in the APS, after a concept paper is reviewed, USAID/Philippines will inform applicants whether further discussions are warranted, and, after those discussions, whether a full application or co-creation will be requested or not.

D.3 Evaluation Process

Please refer to Section D.3 of the APS Amendment 1.

[End of Section D] https://www.usaid.gov/philippines

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Concept Paper Merit Review Criteria

See Section E, Concept Paper Merit Review Criteria, of the APS Amendment 1 for an explanation of the merit review criteria. Additionally, the criteria for Management and Staffing Plan will determine the extent of capacity building strategy of local subrecipients in line with parameters for transition award process.

E.2 Full Application Merit Review Criteria

Merit review criteria will be provided to applicants who are requested to submit a full application.

E.3 Cost Application Instructions

Applicants are not requested to provide cost applications at this concept paper phase.

[End of Section E]

SECTION F: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

See Section F of the APS Amendment 1 for federal award administration information.

SECTION G: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

See Section G of the APS Amendment 1 for federal awarding Agency Contacts.

The updated Agency Point of Contact for this Addendum is:

Aileen Joy Ferrer Agreements Specialist Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance USAID/Philippines Annex 2 Building, U.S. Embassy 1201 Roxas Boulevard 1000 Ermita, Manila Phone: +63-2-5301-6000 Email: aferrer@usaid.gov

Questions regarding this Addendum may be submitted to manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov (copy aferrer@usaid.gov) by the date and time stated on the cover letter of this addendum.

(End of ADDENDUM No. 6) mailto:aferrer@usaid.gov mailto:manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov mailto:manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov mailto:aferrer@usaid.gov

ANNEX A: Universal Health Care Project Activities

Health Systems Strengthening Activity: A five-year USAID activity that will prioritize identifying operational bottlenecks in fully implementing policies that connect the individual building blocks of health systems including health workforce; information; medical products, vaccines, and technologies; rational financing; and leadership and governance. Improved and more effective integration of key health system components will bolster the delivery of quality health services and advance sustained health outcomes.

TB Luzon Activity: The activity aims to strengthen TB interventions at the national, regional, local government, and community levels to increase TB case detection and treatment success rates. TB Luzon will work in priority sites in Luzon including the National Capital Region. TB Luzon will use evidence-based, data-driven approaches and technology to engage changemakers at the individual, community, provincial, and regional levels to promote positive health-seeking and TB prevention behaviors. The project invigorates service delivery networks of community health workers and diagnostic and treatment facilities in government and private sectors to sustainably provide quality patient-centered care across the TB care continuum.

TB Visayas and Mindanao Activity (TB VisMin): TB VisMin accelerate action towards elimination, the TB VisMin activity will leverage resources from national and local governments, Global Fund and other donors, private sector partners, and relevant local organizations in the Philippines to contribute to the country’s target of treating almost 2.9 million people with TB by 2028. The TB VisMin activity will work with the Department of Health (DOH) - Centers for Health Development (CHDs) and regional offices of other national agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Visayas and Mindanao (with the exception of BARMM, which will be covered by the BARMM Resilience Activity), and partner with communities to deliver results towards achieving reduced TB incidence and mortality in the Philippines. The activity will adopt best practices and international standards of TB care, and implement locally- generated solutions that tailor USAID’s TB response to more effectively address the diagnosis, treatment and prevention needs of clients and communities, while also addressing stigma and discrimination.

The TB VisMin activity will assist in improving access to quality services, contributing to the achievement of the TB program targets.

TB/HIV Community Led Monitoring (CLM): will support engaging communities affected by TB and HIV in strengthening their capacities to implement community-led monitoring (CLM). CLM empowers survivors and those living with disease to do effective advocacy to make a resounding impact in the national initiative to end TB and HIV. The TB/HIV CLM activity in the Philippines will mobilize civil society organizations and patient support groups into a unified advocacy network. The activity will provide the network with technical assistance, capacity building, and opportunities to hone and develop their skills in doing effective advocacy.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Resilience: A grant implemented by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) to strengthen TB, Global

Health Security, Family Planning and health systems in BARMM, this activity aims to increase.

support to TB programs in conflict settings, especially among the most at-risk populations.

USAID Philippines, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Mongolia Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (PIMMELA): An institutional support mechanism implemented by Management Systems International (MSI) providing high quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) support across USAID operating units in the Philippines, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Mongolia. USAID PIMMELA has a highly interdisciplinary team of Senior Evaluators, Researchers, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion experts, Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Facilitators, Third Party Monitoring and Geographic Information System specialists. USAID PIMMELA will work collaboratively with USAID and its Implementing Partners (IPs) through five service components.

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control- Global Health Security (EpiC GHS): The activity aims to strengthen the Philippines’ ability to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re emerging infectious diseases. It works closely with the Philippine government and other local partners to prepare for potential and future epidemics, pandemics, and other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition, EpiC helps strengthen the capacities of key health professionals and laboratory staff on biosafety and biosecurity systems, antimicrobial resistance detection and surveillance, laboratory diagnostic capacity, and specimen referral systems.

World Health Organization (for Global Health Security): WHO GHS activities aims to further strengthen health security technical areas in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), laboratory and surveillance, routine public health functions at Points of Entry (PoE), public health emergency preparedness, and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE). Activities are implemented in line with the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies ( APSED III) for the strengthening of core public health capacities required under IHR (2005). This includes strengthening IHR capacity including the implementation of JEE recommendations, and review of human health workforce that can be mobilized during pandemics or disease outbreaks, development of IHR workforce competency framework, linked to the HRH Philippines Masterplan 2022-2040, Improved contingency plan on EREID and other health hazards for the four major international airports of the country. Support relevant national and subnational divisions of DOH and PhilCZ agencies in planning and implementing effective and responsive risk communication and community engagement interventions in health security and One Health and help optimize PhilCZ, and/or other national multi-sectoral committees that will oversee the implementation and monitoring of global health security activities. Support public health emergency preparedness and response at regional and local levels. Strengthen laboratory leadership, genomic sequencing capability and diagnostic capacity of pathogens with outbreak potential. Enhance genomic surveillance, disease surveillance and information systems aligning with One Health framework. Strengthen AMR surveillance and wastewater assessment in healthcare facilities

USAID One Health Workforce - Next Generation (Philippine One Health University Network):

USAID recognizes that human resources are critical for disease prevention, rapid detection, effective response, and control of biothreats to enhance global health security. In the workforce, transdisciplinary training, knowledge, and critical thinking are crucial for managing biological risks.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Immediate Technical Assistance for Animal Health Systems to Address Emerging and Priority Zoonotic Diseases and Health Threats: This initiative aims to strengthen animal health systems to reduce the risks and impacts of EIDs, AMR, and biothreats through an inclusive One Health approach. Expected outcomes of the project are 1) Enhance national and regional One Health coordination and multisectoral collaboration among stakeholders; 2) Improve the multidisciplinary workforce and institutional capacity to address animal and public health threats, including AMR-related issues; 3) Enhance animal health capabilities for preparedness and response to public health threats, including AMR-related issues; and 4) Increase adoption of risk reduction practices along the value and supply chain.

This initiative will be managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Philippines through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) with technical support from the FAO ECTAD at Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). The project will be implemented in accordance with FAO rules and regulations and financial procedures. The project operations will be carried out in close collaboration with the Lead Technical Unit (LTU), the Animal Health Service of FAO (NSAH), and other units concerned at the country, regional and headquarter levels.

Breakthrough Action (BA): This GHS project aims to Improve country RCCE capacity following IHR/JEE criteria (JEE: September 2024): Increase RCCE HR technical capacity at all levels of implementation, Develop policies/guidelines for One Health RCCE, Improve one health partner and stakeholder communication and coordination on RCCE, Develop a community feedback system (online and offline) for adoption by DOH, Generate evidence to support SBC interventions for priority one health areas, and establish mechanisms for community engagement.