January 21-22, 2026 (JIGJIGA, Ethiopia) The Second Multi-Sectoral One Health Forum for the IGAD Mandera Cluster brought together the Ministries of Agriculture/Livestock, Health, Environment and key development partners.
Convened by ICPALD under the Regional Livestock Program (RLP) project, with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the forum provided a collaborative platform for participants to strengthen multisectoral coordination, and harmonize protocols, surveillance and data sharing across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
Building on identified gaps, deliberations focused on action-oriented solutions for strengthening One Health collaboration across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia borders, through activities such as:
- joint interventions for priority zoonotic diseases, ecosystem health and antimicrobial resistance;
- developing a Joint Action Plan with KPIs, accountability and partner engagement;
- designing a sustainable cross-border One Health coordination platform.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration across sectors and borders while accelerating practical scalable solutions that enhance resilience to protect lives and livelihoods.
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One Health
One Health approach recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, particularly in pastoral and borderland contexts where people, livestock, and wildlife interact daily.
The Mandera Cluster—spanning border areas of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia—faces shared challenges including climate shocks, zoonotic diseases, food insecurity, and population mobility, making coordinated action essential.
Through continued cooperation and a shared One Health vision, the IGAD Mandera Cluster is taking concrete steps toward a healthier, more resilient and stable borderland region.
