The COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) has awarded US$4.7 billion to 125 applicants since April 2020, to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, and initiate urgent improvements in formal and community health systems.
As the pandemic evolves and countries transition from an emergency response, C19RM funding can continue supporting resilient and sustainable systems for health (RSSH) and pandemic preparedness. The deadline for use of C19RM investments has been extended for eligible portfolios and countries have been notified through letters to their CCMs.
C19RM Investments in Systems for Health and Pandemic Preparedness
The extension of the implementation date will allow countries with large investments to have more time to better implement critical components of RSSH to strengthen systems for health and pandemic preparedness. In particular, countries are strongly encouraged to prioritize these strategic areas:
- Surveillance system strengthening
- Improvements to laboratory systems and diagnostics
- Human resources for health and community strengthening
- Medical oxygen, respiratory care and therapeutics
- Health product and waste management systems
For detailed information on investment priorities, see the C19RM Technical Information Note [ download in English | Español | Français ] .
Aligning priorities of C19RM investments with those included in grant cycle 7 (GC7) funding requests is key to ensure complementarity of investments and reduce the risk of duplicating efforts across different funding sources, to maximize the combined impact on strengthening systems for health and pandemic preparedness.
Countries would be available to apply for additional funding from C19RM should another wave of C19RM Portfolio Optimization opens later in 2024.