Infectious disease outbreaks over the last few decades, such as Ebola, HPAI, and Zika, have had profound impacts, causing severe burdens on human livelihoods and economies and posing global security threats. These outbreaks galvanized support to build capacities to meet the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005) and to advance the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).
The Preparedness & Response Project, part of USAID’s Emerging Pandemic Threats-2 (EPT-2) program, was launched in 2014 by a consortium of partners including TRG to support countries in the prevention, detection, and response to emerging disease threats. Between 2014-2019, the Preparedness & Response Project used an interdisciplinary ‘One Health’ approach to establish or strengthen national One Health multisectoral coordinating mechanisms in 16 countries across Africa and Southeast Asia.
Select Services
TRG provided institutional capacity building expertise, including design and facilitation of:
- Stakeholder mapping exercises
- Multisectoral One Health sensitization workshops
- Leadership and change management training
- After action reviews
- Participatory capacity and performance self-assessments to inform prioritization and planning processes
To provide tailored and context-appropriate expertise, TRG developed and utilized a network-based consulting model that leveraged world-class organizational development professionals based in and near the participating countries. As part of the TRG network, these professionals were supported by TRG’s own staff and peer advisors, reinforcing south to south collaboration and the development of a sustainable model of development.
Select Results
At the global level:
- Developed and nurtured a global network of organizational development professionals to support institutional capacity building efforts across Africa and Asia
- Designed methodologies for participatory decision-making in multisectoral coordinating mechanisms
- Co-developed metrics for the operationalization and assessment of the institutional capacity and performance of multisectoral coordinating mechanism to detect, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks
At the country level:
- Across East and West Africa, TRG facilitated the convening of key sectors and stakeholders to prepare for and officially launch National One Health Platforms.
- In Vietnam, TRG facilitated an outbreak simulation to test and revise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for rabies.
- In Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, TRG designed and facilitated multi-sector workshops to agree the organizational structure and terms of reference (TOR) for National One Health Platforms.
- In Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Cameroon, TRG designed and led leadership training for sector leaders to enable them to lead their sectors in collaborative relationships and joint planning for One Health efforts.
- In 2017 and again in 2018, TRG facilitated multi-stakeholder participatory self-assessments and planning exercises (One Health Assessment for Planning & Performance or OH-APP) in 14 countries.