The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) unite with a “co-investment” portfolio. This portfolio is the ACIAR-IDRC Research Programme on One Health (AIRPOH). AIRPOH recognises “inclusive agri-food systems as a core interface between human, animal, and environmental health”. This comes as a response to the “need for intersectoral approaches to address global challenges faced by health and food systems”.
The combined investment is AUD$4.3 million, and the first phase sought research proposals from across South-East Asia. This invests in “an area that is intricately connected to agri-food systems and, consequently, to food security”. These projects aim to have a “transformational” effect on the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
The accepted proposals proceed to contract stage. Research commences in the next year and continues until 2025. The approved projects are:
Cambodia
“The role of agricultural and forest landscapes on human and environmental health in Cambodia” by the Royal University of Agriculture
Indonesia, Laos, Philippines
“Livestock Enhancement through EcoHealth/One Health Assessment in South-East Asia” by the Institut Pertanian Bogor University, National University of Laos, and the University of the Philippines Los Banos.
Philippines
“Policy support to the Philippines’ National Surveillance and Control Programmes for African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, and Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health systems approach to animal food security, public health resiliency, and environment sustainability” by the University of the Philippines Los Banos.
Timor-Leste
“Developing strategies to reduce brucellosis transmission in Timor-Leste based on One Health collaboration” by the Menzies School of Health Research.
The ACIAR Research Programme Manager, Livestock Systems, Dr Anna Okello, stated that these proposals and projects promote One Health approaches across South-East Asia.
“One Health recognises that the health of humans, animals, and the broader environment in which we all coexist, are inherently linked”
Engaging experts across 5 countries, she hopes that the programme will “promote new ideas” and “benefit human, animal, and environmental health”.
For a day of One Health discussion at the World Vaccine Congress in Europe, 2022, get your tickets here.
