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Strong Response to ADB's Offer of Emergency Support to Fight SARS

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (5 June 2003) - Within days of ADB's offer of emergency support to fight the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, it has received proposals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

ADB approved a US$2 million regional technical assistance (RETA) grant in late May to provide regional support to prevent and contain SARS by financing the vital first steps in a medium- to long-term effort to boost health systems. Many governments and health systems in Asia and the Pacific face tight budgets and slow resource mobilization and are ill prepared to deal with SARS.

At a meeting yesterday, ADB agreed to authorize about 80% of the $2 million grant to fund proposals received from several of its developing member countries. In addition, the grant will assist Pacific Island nations on a regional basis by funding surveillance and infection control.

"We have had an overwhelming response to our RETA and we expect proposals from other member countries over the next two weeks. ADB is discussing this with donor capitals and seeking additional contributions," says Clay Wescott, ADB's Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist.

"Even though SARS is presently coming under control in most countries, we want our member countries to be prepared in case it recurs."

Swift action to limit and control SARS is critical, given the lack of understanding about how the disease spreads and the potential for it to infect populations, particularly the poor and those in rural areas.

Working closely with governments, the World Health Organization and nongovernment organizations (NGOs), ADB will implement its support actions over the next six months. As well as including public health assessment, surveillance, training and institutional capacity building activities, the RETA will provide public health equipment, material and supplies.

It will develop standardized procedures for screening and restricting cross-border travelers and carry out SARS information, education and communication campaigns targeted at ministries of health, local health authorities, and NGOs. The education campaigns will inform the public of the symptoms and risks of SARS, where they can seek emergency care, and how to prevent exposure to family and friends.

In addition, the TA will compile SARS data across the region to promote a regional response through the sharing of good practices. The funding will also be used to develop investment projects to meet long-term needs for communicable disease control.

The grant is part of ADB's action plan prepared by its SARS crisis response team.

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