- It is a dedicated fund aimed at building preparedness for health emergencies in South Asia
- It is being set up by India along with 10 other member countries of World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) South-East Asian Regional Committee
- The new funding stream will allow these countries to invest in infrastructure and human resources that will enhance preparedness
- In the recent years, earthquakes, cyclones and floods have caused health emergencies in south-east Asian region.
- It has also been threatened by a range of emerging diseases, including SARS, MERS CoV, pandemic influenza and Zika virus