“Biodiversity and Zoonotic Diseases: Lessons for Effective Biodiversity Governance and Resilience to Pandemics in Africa”, a new policy brief by UNESCO

It is the product of a collaboration between the UNESCO Office Nairobi and Regional Bureau for Science in Africa, the University of Rwanda and the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Extract: 

“Reducing disruptive human wild animal contacts can help stem the emergence of new pandemics. This policy brief outlines the gender, economic, social, and health related dynamics that offer solutions to pandemic wildlife challenges. The food insecurity created by pandemics presents a particular threat to women as caretakers and nutritional providers to children and has implications for how people interact with wildlife and wildlife habitats, highlighting the importance of addressing food insecurity as an integral part of avoiding the next pandemic. The creation of a formal, multi-sectoral, multi-institutional framework on pandemic prevention must integrate biodiversity and human health and provide a framework for a One Health approach to foster preparedness and enable prevention in an integrated, equitable, and responsive manner.”

The policy brief can be downloaded on UNESDOC.