One Health and the International Fund for Agriculture Development

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, was established in 1977 in response to the food crises earlier in that decade. Its mission is to assist the rural and peri-urban poor in low and middle income countries (LMICs), especially the individuals, families and small land holders, to improve livelihoods and more broadly their physical and social wellbeing. IFAD serves as a complementary financing window to the much biggermultilateral development banks (MDBs) and themajor bilateral donors, taking its cues from the themes these large funders emphasize, as well as the broad goals of the international community for sustainable development. The interface of animal and human health, or OneHealth, has become a global concern, but it has not been featured in IFAD strategies, policies and programs. IFADwill soon undergo negotiations to replenish its funding and decide on planning and program priorities. This eleventh replenishment negotiation is an ideal time for the organization to reconsider its objectives and incorporate a One Health approach into its plans and projects. IFAD as an organization would benefit from incorporating a One Health philosophy in its programming, and the One Health community would benefit from an IFAD focused on the linkages between livestock health management, food security, family income, better nutrition and human health. In 2016 IFAD approved itsfifth Strategic Framework covering theperiod 2016–2025, which is used to guide investments and activities. This new framework has four main purposes: