Health 10 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
FAO Donates Vehicles to Enhance Zoonotic Disease Surveillance in Virunga Region
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has provided eight field vehicles to surveillance teams in the Greater Virunga Landscape to improve rapid response to zoonotic disease threats. This support, part of a World Bank-funded project, targets high-risk areas across Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo where humans, livestock, and wildlife interact closely. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/fao-hands-over-vehicles-to-boost-disease-surveillance-in-virunga-5419848
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has handed over eight vehicles to frontline teams in the Greater Virunga Landscape, boosting efforts to monitor and prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks.
The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) and Gorilla Doctors received the vehicles to strengthen operations in this biodiverse tri-border area spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Close interactions between communities, livestock, and wildlife heighten disease risks here.
This initiative falls under the Regional One Health Pandemic Prevention project, funded by the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund with $24.5 million over 31 months. FAO leads implementation alongside WHO and UNICEF, focusing on early warning, capacity building, and cross-border coordination.
GVTC Executive Secretary Dr. Andrew G. Seguya highlighted the timely boost to operational capacity and One Health collaboration. FAO Uganda Representative Ezana Kassa emphasized protecting livelihoods, biodiversity, and preventing pandemics through better field access.
WHO’s Dr. Edson Katushabe and UNICEF’s Stefan Lawson noted that improved mobility will address challenges in reaching remote areas, enhancing surveillance timeliness and extending services to vulnerable communities.
The project has already collected over 3,000 samples, with partners like WWF and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme aiding efforts to safeguard both people and wildlife.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)