Schnell Einsetzbare Expert*innengruppe Gesundheit (SEEG) -
The German Epidemic Preparedness Team
Epidemic and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response are complex and challenging tasks in any setting, particularly where the capacity to diagnose, monitor and control disease transmission is limited.
COVID-19 and the recent global surge in further epidemics and antimicrobial resistance showcase the urgent need for strengthening health systems to diagnose and manage infectious diseases.
The German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG) provides technical support to partner countries in building capacity and sharing expertise for prevention, preparedness, and response of disease outbreaks, guided by the One Health Approach. SEEG aims to works in a needs- in a partner-oriented, collaborative, and multidisciplinary way.
SEEG is committed to equality and actively works to eliminate gender-based disparities and discrimination in all areas of its engagement.Â
Creating added value, through partnership, for One Health
Who we are
The SEEG is an instrument of the German Government founded in 2015 by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and the Ministry of Health that supports countries and organizations in preparing for and responding to eminent disease outbreaks.
The SEEG approach is based on needs in a partner oriented, collaborative, and multidisciplinary way, but initially activities were largely focusing on the human sector. Over the years, the SEEG has piloted and pioneered the integration of the ‘One Health’ approach into its framework. This was largely achieved by the integration of new partners from the animal health sector, namely the Friedrich Loeffler Institut, the German Federal Research Institute for Animal Health with support of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as Nature Conservation Organizations from the environmental sector collaborating closely with established SEEG partners such as the Robert Koch Institute, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and Charité University Hospital Berlin as well as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The SEEG is dedicated to enhancing laboratory diagnostics, supporting health emergency processes and structures, and promoting cross-sectoral pandemic prevention and response through the One Health approach.
Background
Founded in 2015 as a reaction to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Instruments
- Flexible deployment of experts
- Consulting
- On-site and online training of technical experts
- Provision of material for training purposes
Goal
Supporting partner countries and partner organizations in preparing for and responding to disease outbreaks worldwide and at short notice
Intersectoral Approach
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – commissioning party
Federal Ministry of Health (BMG)
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) (since 2021)
Core Expertise
- Outbreak response: flexible response to outbreaks in a qualified way based on country requests
- Strengthening laboratory diagnostics and laboratory networks
- Supporting the development of standard operating procedures and structures for health emergencies
- Cross-sectoral pandemic prevention and response through a One Health Approach
SEEG at GIZ
The SEEG is integrated into the Global Programme for Pandemic Resilience, One Health (GV PROH).
Alongside two complementary components, one of them focusing on strengthening regional capacities for One Health and Pandemic Response, whereas the second one is strengthening key institutions and organizations to support the implementation of the One Health Approach and the international health regulations in selected partner countries
What we do
Supporting Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Since 2015, SEEG has conducted over 70 deployments in more than 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. The overall aim is to optimize human, animal, and environmental health, aligning interventions with the principles of the One Health Approach regarding pandemic preparedness and response. To achieve this, SEEG provides both advisory and technical support for acute response and preparedness activities. To provide tailored and sustainable solutions to unique contexts, the multidisciplinary deployed teams work closely together with local partners and key stakeholders to assess needs and identify gaps.
SEEG deployments address a wide range of health threats, including but not limited to Mpox, Ebola, Cholera, Avian Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Lassa fever, Dengue, Zika virus, Rift Valley fever, and other neglected tropical diseases. We also support broader systems strengthening topics, such as the development and training of rapid response teams. SEEG monitors the impact of deployments to ensure effectiveness and sustainability, and explores potential future collaborations based on deployment outcomes.
SEEG Deployments since 2015
SEEG Map
Covid-19
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Cholera
Mpox
Rabies (Tollwut)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
AMR - Antimicrobial Resistance
*Country colors indicate the most recent SEEG-deployment. In many countries, however, there have been multiple deployments for different pathogens and purposes. More detailed information can be seen by hovering the cursor over a country of interest.
SEEG’s focus areas include:
Laboratory Capacity Building
Strengthening laboratory diagnostics through training and infrastructure support.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)/ Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)
Addressing AMR priorities and promoting responsible antimicrobial use.
Intersectoral Collaboration (ISC)
Fostering communication and coordination across sectors and disciplines involved in pandemic and epidemic response.
Outbreak Response
Providing rapid advice and technical support during acute outbreaks, with a focus on emergency response activities and capacity building.
For more updates on SEEG deployments, you can follow us on Bluesky at @proh-no2pandemics.bsky.social
SEEG Corporation Partners
German Development Cooperation Agency
Provides the core team; responsible for logistical, organizational and political matters; provides broad technical support for deployments with strong expertise in capacity development and international cooperation
Institute for Tropical Medicine
Provides support in the area of laboratory strengthening and bioinformatical analysis;
Strong expertise in capacity building, epidemiology, surveillance
National Public Health Institute of the Federal Republic of Germany
Provides support in the area of surveillance; crisis management for public health events, outbreak response, surveillance
Federal Research Institute for Animal Health
Provides support in the area of animal health; supports the strengthening of the One Health Approach
University Hospital Berlin
Provides support in the are of virology laboratory diagnostics, AMR and infectiology
Stories
The Gambia: 2023
Strengthening The Gambia´s resilience and response to Avian Influenza
https://health.bmz.de/stories/strengthening-the-gambias-resilience-and-response-to-avian-influenza/
Uzbekistan: 2021
A perfect synergy: Germany and WHO join forces to take laboratory diagnostics in Kyrgyzstan to the next level
https://health.bmz.de/stories/a-perfect-synergy-germany-and-who-join-forces-to-take-laboratory-diagnostics-in-kyrgyzstan-to-the-next-level/
Various countries: 2020
Standing shoulder to shoulder against COVID-19
https://health.bmz.de/stories/standing-shoulder-to-shoulder-against-covid-19/
Ecuador: 2020
A new bio-security lab is boosting Ecuador’s pandemic preparedness
https://health.bmz.de/stories/a-new-bio-security-lab-is-boosting-ecuadors-pandemic-preparedness/