ADB Assistance on Avian Influenza
ADB is working closely with its partners — particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations , UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and World Health Organization — on activities to prevent and control the spread of avian flu in the region.
Cross-border Progress in Mekong
A consortium of four international nongovernment organizations is working on cross-border activities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, including a toolkit for NGOs serving cross-border communities. Lessons learned were presented at a workshop in March 2008 in Bangkok.
ASEAN Strategy Discussed in Bali
Bali hosted in February 2008 the fourth workshop in a series to finalize the ASEAN Regional Strategy for the Progressive Control and Eradication of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (2008-2010). Participants lauded the ADB AI project as catalyzing closer regional collaboration and enhanced capacity-building in the region.
Grant Strengthening Afghanistan’s Surveillance
Afghanistan has received a $198,200 grant from ADB's regional project to help strengthen the newly established surveillance system for avian influenza, train Provincial Public Health Officers in emergency preparedness, and building response capability. The first training session for 170 members of provincial rapid response teams was held in Kabul in October 2007. In addition, eight AI referral hospitals have been assessed and hospital personnel have been trained in infection control.
In Beijing in January 2006, the international community committed $1.9 billion to fight avian flu. ADB’s pledge was $470 million, consisting of just over $70 million in grants and $400 million in loans.
At the regional level ADB has taken the lead, unveiling a $38 million grants project in March 2006 (which was later increased to $42.2 million), in conjunction with other development partners.
Timeline
January 2004: Following the avian flu outbreak, ADB expanded the use of the funds under the technical assistance Emergency Regional Support to Address the Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (TA 6108) for a broad range of activities related to avian flu. These included procurement of equipment and supplies, training, surveillance/monitoring and screening and other public health system capacity needs in relation to the avian flu outbreak.
February 2005: ADB's President wrote to affected governments in Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam to express ADB's concern and willingness to provide assistance.
January 2006: ADB announced the allocation of an additional $69.2 million in grants for avian influenza and infectious diseases. These financed a
- $38 million grant for prevention and control of avian influenza in Asia and the Pacific.
- $30.9 million communicable diseases control project in the Greater Mekong Subregion ($30 million from ADB and $900,000 financing from WHO);
- $1.2 million grant for epidemiological surveillance and response for communicable diseases;
Upon request, up to $100 million in load proceeds can immediately be reallocated for avian influenza activities and an additional $300 million in new resources has been pledged if requested by developing member countries.
Read more about ADB’s projects to combat avian influenza and related activities.
Top of page