GIZ’s global project supporting the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade comprises work with government partners in Viet Nam under the umbrella of “Reducing Health Risks in the Wild Animal Trade in Viet Nam”. The results of this two-year cooperation include inputs to numerous policy and technical recommendations to strengthen Viet Nam’s efforts to ensure biosecurity in the many facilities that are farming wild animals. Under the One Health approach, the project in Viet Nam applied a threefold approach to strengthen the management of commercial wildlife farming activities towards reducing risks, prevent zoonotic transmission and spillover from wild animals to humans. This includes (1) applied research, (2) policy review and (3) multi-stakeholder policy advocacy. Insights from applied research informed the policy review and vice versa. Results of both were widely shared through various inter-sectoral multi-stakeholder platforms. The recommendations resulting from the multi-stakeholder consultations put a particular focus on acting up to new responsibilities that require the cooperation of relevant government departments, local stakeholders, farmers and international partners. The approach and its results will be presented and the discussed during the webinar 8 May 2024. The webinar also provides an opportunity to exchange on how the results can continue to be used by the partners in Viet Nam and elsewhere to underpin upcoming work and to foster chosen approaches.

Anja Barth and Nhung Nguyen

Wednesday, May 8th, 10:00 – 11:15 CEST

Click here to join the Meeting

About the Speakers

Anja Barth

Anja Barth is a chief technical advisor with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. She currently manages several projects on forestry and biodiversity conservation in Viet Nam. Her portfolio also includes the Viet Nam country package on “Reducing Health Risks in the Wild Animal Trade in Viet Nam”. Jointly with the key partners of the Pandemic Prevention Task Force in Viet Nam, GIZ has used the opportunities provided by applied research, policy review and multi-stakeholder policy advocacy to enhance dialogue and action on reducing zoonotic risks in wildlife farming in Viet Nam. GIZ’s close collaboration with Vietnamese government partners and the long-standing experiences in using a multi-level approach for enhancing policies and actively engaging in stakeholder coordination was instrumental in achieving the project’s objectives.

Nhung Nguyen

Nhung Nguyenhas been working on the wildlife conservation and trade in Viet Nam for the past 10 years in the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as a project manager/coordinator. She has extensive knowledge and experiences working with policy makers and wildlife practitioners, contributing to the amendment of key legal documents on wildlife conservation and management. She started working the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH since March 2023 as a Project Officer in Biodiversity and Forest Unit. Joining the Viet Nam Country Package – Reducing Health Risks in the Wild Animal Trade in Viet Nam, she brought her knowledge and experiences in wildlife conservation and management policy and practice to addressing health risks posed from wildlife farming via the One Health approach.

About the Alliance

The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade serves as an inclusive and interdisciplinary platform to discuss challenges and formulate solutions vis-á-vis human-wildlife interfaces and associated health risks and the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife. The Alliance is aiming to enhance international and national awareness, knowledge, policies and action, not least by narrowing the gap between science and implementation.

We are delighted to host this event and are enthusiastic to have a broad exchange within the Alliance community. Please feel free to forward and share this invitation with interested colleagues.

In this session, we will delve into the intersection of faith, wildlife, and biodiversity, exploring how religious beliefs can influence human behavior towards the conservation of our planet’s precious ecosystems and wildlife. From understanding the intrinsic value of animals in religious teachings to discussing the role of faith-based organizations in shaping global biodiversity frameworks, this webinar will offer insights into the powerful potential of religion to promote environmental stewardship and ethical action. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how faith-based perspectives can inform and influence policymaking for a more sustainable future

Expert Talk with Dr. Iyad Abumoghli

Tuesday, April 16th, 15:00 – 16:15 CEST

Click here to join

About the Speaker

Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Founder and Director of the Faith for Earth Initiative, has more than 38 years of experience with international organizations, the private sector, and scientific institutions. Dr. Abumoghli’s expertise focus on strategic planning, sustainable development, interfaith collaboration and knowledge and innovation. Dr. Abumoghli is currently the Lead Principal Advisor on Engaging with Faith-Based Organizations at UNEP. Previously Dr. Abumoghli held several leading positions including the Regional Representative of UNEP in West Asia, Director of Knowledge and Innovation at UNDP’s Office for the Arab States, Senior Environment Advisor at UNDP’s Regional Office in Beirut, Global Practice Manager for the Energy and Environment Group in New York, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP in Jordan.

Dr. Abumoghli holds a doctorate degree in Bio-Chemical Engineering from the University of Bath/UK, and an outstanding graduate of the Virtual Development Academy – Johns University.

About the Alliance

The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade serves as an inclusive and interdisciplinary platform to discuss challenges and formulate solutions vis-á-vis human-wildlife interfaces and associated health risks and the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife. The Alliance is aiming to enhance international and national awareness, knowledge, policies and action, not least by narrowing the gap between science and implementation.

We are delighted to host this event and are enthusiastic to have a broad exchange within the Alliance community. Please feel free to forward and share this invitation with interested colleagues.

The Transnational African Zoonosis Education Campaign (ZEC) takes the One-Health-message to the people in Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria, and Zambia. While the wildlife conservation organization Pro Wildlife has provided the scientific background of zoonoses in these countries, the four rescue centers of the consortium are integrating the health risks of zoonoses into their education and outreach programs.
In the search for individual, but also for generally effective tools to address a wide range of target groups, the consortium is confronted with a variety of challenges during the course of this project. Dr. Dauda Ayomide Onawola of Pandrillus in Nigeria will give you an insight into the implementation of this project. Together with the other partners of the consortium he will share with you the successes and challenges from the ground over the last 12 months.

Dr. Dauda Ayomide Onawola

Thursday, February 1st, 13:00 – 14.15 CEST

Click here to join the meeting

About the Speakers

Dr. Dauda Ayomide Onawola is currently the Project Veterinarian and Zoonoses Education Campaign Manager at Pandrillus Nigeria. He has managed campaigns, outreaches and trainings in rural and urban settings across Nigeria. He has a diverse experience which cuts across livestock development, public health, wildlife conservation, and information technology. He is a chronic advocate for the One Health approach to solving health-related issues and socio-economic challenges that affect humans, animals and the ecosystem as a whole, especially in the Global South.

Different aspects of the project will be highlighted by the consortium partners: Dr. Sandra Altherr (Pro Wildlife – Germany), Wilson Ateh (Limbe Wildlife Centre – Cameroon), Mercy Doe (Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary – Liberia), Wilson Chinda (GRI Zambia Primate Project – Zambia)

About the Alliance

The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade serves as an inclusive and interdisciplinary platform to discuss challenges and formulate solutions vis-á-vis human-wildlife interfaces and associated health risks and the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife. The Alliance is aiming to enhance international and national awareness, knowledge, policies and action, not least by narrowing the gap between science and implementation.

We are delighted to host this event and are enthusiastic to have a broad exchange within the Alliance community. Please feel free to forward and share this invitation with interested colleagues.

Dear Alliance friends,

join us for our second introductory event for interested organisations and individuals, new and old Alliance members on:

January 23rd, 2024 at 15:00 – 15:45 CEST

Join the meeting here

Gain deeper insights into the work of the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, membership, upcoming events, and have all your questions answered during a Q&A.

We are looking forward to exchanging with you!

Best regards,

Secretariat of the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade

As we all know, the wildlife trade activities bring various health risks as well as environmental damages. The risks of spill over from wildlife trade come in the form of pathogens that would lead to the threat of zoonotic diseases. In Indonesia, we are dealing with issues such as insufficient public knowledge and awareness regarding the risks and threat of wildlife trade and interaction between wildlife and humans. Thus, we feel that educating the community, starting from the early ages, is important.

With this goal in mind, we planned to raise awareness regarding wildlife protection for children by using local values and customs. Illustrated storybooks with 5 native languages were created, provided and distributed to elementary schools in Indonesia. In the process, we collaborated with native languages experts, local authors and illustration artists, wildlife veterinarians, and other relevant stakeholders. We consider our goal to be fulfilled if the copies of the books can be disseminated to schools in each One Health Collaborating Center (OHCC) area (Bali, East Java, Yogyakarta, Aceh, and Papua). Furthermore, a storytelling event was held along with the book launching event. We hope that by carefully considering the mother tongues, the book will give children a better understanding of wildlife protection and sensitise them to its importance.

Voices from the ground with Prof. Dr. dr. Ni Nyoman Sri Budayanti, Sp.MK(K) and Ni Komang Semara Yanti, S.KM.,M.PH

Wednesday, January 10^th, 11:00-12:30 CEST

Click here to join the meeting

About the Speakers

Prof. Dr. dr. Ni Nyoman Sri Budayanti, Sp.MK(K)

Budayanti is the Head of Udayana One Health Collaborating Centre at Udayana University, Indonesia and a lecturer and clinical microbiologist in Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University and Udayana University hospital, She teaches the undergraduate and graduate students in Faculty of Medicine. In the hospital, she serves as the Head of Laboratory and as clinical microbiologist that work together with other clinician in infectious disease cases. She has joined with Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN) since 2012. She has been doing much research in one health field such as rabies and influenza.

Ni Komang Semara Yanti, S.KM.,M.PH

Semara is a Program Manager at Udayana One Health Collaborating Center at Udayana University, Indonesia. She has been participating in Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN) since 2018. Currently, she is in charge of managing Desa Bijak Antibiotika (SAJAKA)/ Antibiotic Wise Village Program, Udayana One Health Student Club (Udayana OHSC), and other collaboration programs under Udayana OHCC. Along with the whole Udayana OHCC team, Semara manages and organize activities to increase the community’s knowledge and awareness about several One Health issues such as antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, one health education and wildlife health and safety. Semara earned a Master Degree in Public Health from the University of New South Wales, Sydney. Her research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and community development activities.

About the Alliance

The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade serves as an inclusive and interdisciplinary platform to discuss challenges and formulate solutions vis-á-vis human-wildlife interfaces and associated health risks and the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife. The Alliance is aiming to enhance international and national awareness, knowledge, policies and action, not least by narrowing the gap between science and implementation.

We are delighted to host this event and are enthusiastic to have a broad exchange within the Alliance community. Please feel free to forward and share this invitation with interested colleagues.

Picture above: Storytelling Event in Bali. Copyright: OHCC Udayana

As initially announced at the Alliance Plenary this year, the Alliance is moving forward with a new component, the ‘Governmental Consultation Facility’, which aims to provide a consultancy service to governments through our Alliance members and their expertise. This will assist governments in identifying pain points in addressing health risks (particularly zoonotic risks) from wildlife contact and handling of wildlife and wildlife products by providing technical expertise and input to address specific challenges, including on-the-ground consultations.

We invite you cordially to attend the launch of the Facility on 6 December to mark the start of this new component. At this event, we will clarify the concept behind the Consultation Facility, outline opportunities for member organisations and experts to participate, and detail our next steps.

Join us on December 6 to find out more and to ask all the questions you might have.

You will find the link for the meeting in this month’s newsletter.

Feel free to contact the Secretariat with any questions in advance.

If you are unable to attend, you will find the video recording in the members area afterwards.

Tanzania legalized the trade of game meat in 2020 in an effort to curb illegal hunting, promote the utilization of natural resources, and generate employment opportunities for local communities. This industry has developed rapidly and presented a number of risk management challenges in terms of legality, sustainability and safety. TRAFFIC has been collaborating with several government departments in Tanzania as well as private sector, and civil society actors to gather information and disseminate research findings to improve the overall management system for the game meat trade. This work, conducted with project partners from the University of Edinburgh and the International Institute of Environment and Development (which hosts the IUCN Specialist Group on Sustainable Use and Livelihoods), has included conducting a qualitative disease risk analysis (DRA) and characterization of the game meat value chain. The talk for Alliance members will focus on how insights gleaned from value chain actors and field observations have helped understand hazards, potential risks, and critical control points – including through engagement with government agencies from the district level up to national policy makers in a demonstration of a One Health multi-sectoral approach.

Voices from the Ground with Dr. Daniel Mdetele, Qudra Kagembe & Katie Beckmann

Tuesday, December 12th, 14:00 – 15:15 CEST

Click here to join the Meeting

About the Speakers

Dr Daniel Mdetele serves as a Senior Project Manager for Wildlife Trade and One Health at TRAFFIC’s East Africa programme office. He leads TRAFFIC’s team delivering the GIZ-funded activities on Reducing Risks in Tanzania’s Game Meat Industry: Developing a One Health Model for Safe, Sustainable and Legal Supply. Prior to joining TRAFFIC, he was engaged with the Department of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in Tanzania, where he led investigations and control efforts for animal diseases. His role extended to being a focal person for the Virtual Learning Center in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and EAC regions. He also coordinated In-service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology trainings (ISAVET) at the Department of Veterinary Services. Daniel holds an MPhil in Viral Diseases from Sokoine University of Agriculture and is a member of the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Group for the East African Community (EAC), Africa One Health Network, and the Southern Africa Center for Infectious Diseases Research Associate. Additionally, he contributes as a writer for Rewilding Magazine in South Africa.

Qudra Kagembe is the focal point for wild meat trade in TRAFFIC’s East Africa team, based in Arusha in northern Tanzania. He works currently on the USAID-funded Wildlife TRAPS project, implemented by TRAFFIC and IUCN, and ensures its links to the GIZ-funded activities on Reducing Risks in Tanzania’s Game Meat Industry: Developing a One Health Model for Safe, Sustainable and Legal Supply. Qudra provides technical support in research work and has focused on how TRAFFIC and its partners can enhance the governance of wildmeat related supply chains. This has included creating platforms for fostering stakeholder cooperation and communicating best practices for safe, legal and sustainable wild meat trade and use. Qudra is an expert on bird ecology and has a Degree in Wildlife Science and Conservation from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Katie Beckmann is a Lecturer in Wildlife Health and Conservation Medicine at the Rojal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edingburgh (UoE). She is a veterinary specialist in wildlife population health, with expertise in disease risk analysis and wildlife disease surveillance. Katie has led UoE’s collaboration with TRAFFIC East Africa on the GIZ-funded project Reducing Risks in Tanzania’s Game Meat Industry: Developing a One Health Model for Safe, Sustainable and Legal Supply, undertaking a qualitative disease risk analysis for the legal wild meat trade in northern Tanzania. Katie’s previous work has been primarily at the intersection of wildlife health and conservation, and over the past two years she has brought this valuable experience to adapting risk analysis approaches to wild animal trade in the Tanzanian context.  

About the Alliance

The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade serves as an inclusive and interdisciplinary platform to discuss challenges and formulate solutions vis-á-vis human-wildlife interfaces and associated health risks and the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife. The Alliance is aiming to enhance international and national awareness, knowledge, policies and action, not least by narrowing the gap between science and implementation.

We are delighted to host this event and are enthusiastic to have a broad exchange within the Alliance community. Please feel free to forward and share this invitation with interested colleagues.

At this Expert Talk Julia Fa will explore the vital collaboration between researchers and rural and Indigenous communities with us, delving into the intricate relationship between wildlife use and zoonotic diseases. By engaging with these communities, it is possible to gain profound insights into the intricate web of human-wildlife interactions. She examines the diverse ways in which wildlife is utilized in the Amazon and Congo Basins, the cultural significance it holds, and the potential zoonotic disease risks. The talk underscores the importance of bridging traditional ecological knowledge and modern science to safeguard both human and wildlife well-being. It sheds light on the shared responsibility of conserving ecosystems and mitigating zoonotic threats, emphasizing the invaluable role of community-driven partnerships.

Expert Talk with Julia E. Fa

Tuesday, November 14th, 12:00 – 13:30 CEST

About the Speaker

Julia Fa is a senior research associate at the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and has more than 30 years’ experience in academic research and teaching in conservation science. She has held teaching and research positions in various universities and worked at the Durell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey, where she was responsible for conservation science activities for the organisation.  Currently she is professor of Biodiversity and Human Development at Britain’s Manchester Metropolitan University and a visiting professor at the University of Malaga, Spain and Research Fellow at the University of Gibraltar. Her research spans several disciplines, including biology, economics, anthropology, human livelihoods and zoonotic diseases.

About the Alliance

The International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade serves as an inclusive and interdisciplinary platform to discuss challenges and formulate solutions vis-á-vis human-wildlife interfaces and associated health risks and the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife. The Alliance is aiming to enhance international and national awareness, knowledge, policies and action, not least by narrowing the gap between science and implementation.

We are very much looking forward to the kick-off event for our guiding question abouthow cultural and behavioral factors impact handling in the wildlife trade and therefore pathogen spillover risks. Please feel free to forward and share this invitation with interested colleagues.