Evaluation of FAO’s Programme Priority Area on One Health (better production 3)
One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.
The evaluation reviewed the evolution and operationalization of the work of the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in One Health between 2010 and
2023.
It asked:
- How did FAO’s work in One Health evolve and been implemented from 2010 until 2022?
- How were results in One Health interventions measured?
- What was FAO’s comparative advantage within the Quadripartite collaboration (FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH) during the period under review and how was it perceived by partners and donors?
The evaluation made three recommendations for FAO:
1. Leverage the multidisciplinary and multisectoral dimensions of the Organization in its positioning on One Health.
FAO senior managers should ensure the appropriate engagement of underrepresented divisions in One Health efforts, providing the human resources required to support the development of long-term One Health collaborations;
2. Update the One Health results measurement system.
FAO needs to better capture progress and results related to the implementation of One Health in projects and activities within and beyond BP3. This can include: i) defining additional One Health result indicators to address gaps in the BP3 result framework; and ii) developing improved guidance on measuring results;
3. Develop and disseminate guidelines and toolkits to help One Health practitioners and project teams integrate social inclusion (including gender and youth) in using a One Health approach.
FAO should ensure that One Health projects and initiatives consider social inclusion in their design and have measurable social inclusion outcomes aligned with the FAO Policy on Gender Equality and the FAO Corporate Strategy on Youth.
Explore the timeline of One Health
This timeline explores the evolution of One Health and chronicles key milestones, initiatives, and achievements that have shaped the One Health landscape, highlighting the increasing recognition of this holistic approach to global health challenges.
Evaluation of FAO’s support to the Global Health Security Agenda to address Zoonotic Disease and Animal Health in Africa and Asia
This evaluation will inform planning, implementation, and programme monitoring and evaluation of the FAO Global Health Security Project. It will:
- Identify lessons learnt and good practices, and areas for improvement.
- Provide insights on FAO's support for animal health, One Health, and outbreak response at all levels.
The Global Health Security Agenda is a multilateral and multisectoral initiative that aims to strengthen the world's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.
GHSA Evaluation brief available here