Médecins du Monde Belgique and the One Health Approach
Toward a Healthier and More Resilient Future
Discover how our partners at Médecins du Monde Belgique integrate the One Health approach through its innovative projects, including RESTOREID, to connect human, animal, and environmental health and contribute to a more sustainable future.
In 2021, Médecins du Monde adopted the One Health approach as one of its priority themes, reflecting a growing recognition of the interconnection between human health, animal health, and ecosystems. One Health seeks to propose "an integrated and unified approach aimed at sustainably balancing and optimizing the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, recognizing their interconnections and interdependencies."
A Commitment Translated into Concrete Actions: Three Innovative Projects
Since 2022, Médecins du Monde has implemented three projects based on this approach:
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Niger, in collaboration with Vétérinaires Sans Frontières: Two community resilience projects in South Kivu (DRC) and the District of Aderbissinat (Niger), funded by the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD). These initiatives aim to strengthen local capacities to better address health and environmental risks in fragile contexts.
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The RESTOREID project in the Yangambi Reserve (DRC): This project explores the impact of biodiversity restoration on preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.
Biodiversity and Health: Clear Connections, Solutions to Build
Médecins du Monde’s participation in international events, such as COP16 in Cali, demonstrates its commitment to
integrating this approach. At this conference, the One Health approach was recognized as essential in highlighting the
link between biodiversity loss and risks to human and animal health.
In the same vein, Médecins du Monde also attended the Health Systems Research 2024 conference in Nagasaki, Japan. The theme, "Building just and sustainable health systems: centering people and protecting the planet," provided an opportunity to explore intersections between public health and environmental preservation. This was a key moment to share experiences and strengthen recognition of the critical connection between biodiversity and health.
However, despite these advancements, solutions remain underexplored, with limited data to conclusively demonstrate the impact of restoration on health.
Factors such as the type of restoration, interactions with local communities, disease vector management, and proximity of restoration sites influence both benefits and risks. These challenges underscore the need for a better understanding and management of these dynamics to optimize their effects on human health and the environment.
RESTOREID PROJECT: A Healthy Environment for a More Resilient Future
Through this project, Médecins du Monde plays a key role within a consortium of academic actors. This initiative aims
to:
- Explore the impact of biodiversity restoration on preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.
- Understand the socio-economic drivers linked to these ecological transformations.
- Study local communities’ perceptions of restoration projects, their ownership of these efforts, and their contributions to sustainable solutions.
By participating in this innovative initiative, Médecins du Monde reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the scientific and social foundations necessary to make biodiversity a concrete lever for health protection. Through RESTOREID and its other commitments, Médecins du Monde contributes to building global, sustainable, and inclusive solutions to protect vulnerable populations, animals, and their environment.
