International Development Grant

Support to World Health Organization Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan

Project Number: CA-3-P009937001

Status: Closed

Country/Region: Unknown

Regional Focus:

South of Sahara 80%
America 5%
Asia 10%
Oceania 2.5%
Europe 2.5%

Maximum Contribution: $15,000,000.00

Start Date: March 11, 2021

End Date: September 30, 2022

Duration: 1.6 years

Project Description

This project aims to establish and sustain response capacities and capabilities at national and subnational levels to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic especially in the countries of the WHO’s African Region (AFRO). In alignment with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan this project supports the continued delivery of essential health services during COVID-19. It focuses on primary healthcare to support universal health coverage and build strong and resilient health systems. The WHO aims to establish and support WHO African Region country response capacities and capabilities at national and subnational levels to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) strengthen existing regional coordination mechanisms for strategic technical and operational support to countries in collaboration with regional sub-regional national and international partners; (2) increased country readiness and response interventions to contain and mitigate COVID-19 and support continuity of the routine health; and (3) strengthen public awareness through an integrated risk communication and community engagement approach.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of the end of the project (September 2022) include: (1) increased polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capacity in Africa from 43 laboratories in 2020 to over 1000 by the end of 2021 (2) established teams to address COVID-19 misinformation in 78% of countries in the World Health Organization African region (3) trained 500 000 health workers on infection prevention and infection training and 90 000 health workers trained specifically in oxygen therapy and management of severe illness; and (4) supported the development of gender equity and human rights responsive COVID-19 country action plans in 34 countries.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
WHO - World Health Organization

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Infectious disease control 50%
Health education 25%
Health personnel development 25%

Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2020-04-01 to 2021-03-31 $15,000,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000
Project Number: CA-3-P009937001