Since 2003, when the first Highly Pathogenic strain of Avian Influenza (AI) virus (H5N1) was identified in South-East Asia, the virus has spread widely in Asia and parts of Europe. There have also been a few isolated outbreaks in Africa. The World Bank is assisting the Government of Bangladesh and other South Asian countries to prepare for any possible outbreaks. Bangladesh has already made some progress in planning for an AI emergency, but further measures need to be taken. The World Bank is planning to provide funds which will help the government improve its preparedness.
At a conference in Beijing in early 2006, countries and multilateral agencies pledged a total of around $1.9 billion to combat AI. Of this total, the World Bank had pledged and has now approved $500 million for a Global Program for Avian Influenza (GPAI). The World Bank’s Avian Flu program has been designed to enable the rapid access to funds by countries in need of immediate financial resources to strengthen their capacity to reduce the possibility of an outbreak, and to deal with one if it occurs. Through the existing Health, Nutrition and Population Program, the World Bank along with other donors has provided $2 million to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to initiate AI activities, notably awareness raising, communications, and training. The possible AI project, now under preparation, has four components that look at animal health, human health, awareness raising, and implementation.
The World Bank has also reviewed the government’s National Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan (NAIP). The plan conforms to the general standards set by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). It is encouraging that the government has developed this plan.
In discussions with the government, the World Bank focused on the plan’s proposed budget and improvements to the coordination and integration arrangements. Regulations may be required to better protect food production from disease and for the possible registration of poultry farms. There should also be a standardisation of reporting procedures for outbreaks of disease to internationally accepted standards. The World Bank also suggested an operational manual, stating what actions need to be taken in the case of an outbreak, who is responsible, and how these should be coordinated.
Throughout the process, the World Bank has been working closely with many of Bangladesh’s other development partners including FAO, WHO, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Japanese Government.
May 2006
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Contacts:
Rezwan Alam/Rehnuma Amin (8802) 815-9015, Ext 4242/4136
E-mail:Â salam3@worldbank.org/ ramin1@worldbank.org
For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit:
www.worldbank.org.bd and www.worldbank.org
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