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Red
Cross Red Crescent launches avian influenza appeal 20 April 2006 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has, today, launched an appeal for Swiss francs 17.4 million (USD 13.4 million/EUR 11 million) to fund its response to the increasing worldwide spread of avian influenza and the potential risk of this leading to pandemic human influenza. During the last few months, the avian influenza situation has changed dramatically with more than 40 countries having reported the deadly AI virus strain H5N1 in wild birds and domestic poultry. Avian influenza has spread rapidly across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa through migratory birds. “The International Federation has already started responding to avian influenza or bird flu, based on an approach that avian influenza and pandemic human influenza are two distinct, but closely related issues,” explains the International Federation’s Unit Manager for Public Health in Emergencies, Adelheid Marschang. “Given the potential magnitude and unprecedented nature of the threat posed by avian influenza and its possible conversion into pandemic human influenza with disastrous consequences, the International Federation is committed to supporting its 183 member National Societies to develop and implement risk-reduction measures to avian influenza and pandemic human influenza” she adds. To date, the International Federation and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are preparing for or responding to avian influenza in Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Timor Leste, China, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Niger and DPRK. A crucial part of the International Federation’s response will be to specially train 50,000 volunteers and staff to respond to the specific nature of this crisis. In addition information dissemination programmes will be scaled up at community level to increase public awareness of the risks, and relief stocks will be pre-positioned to deal with new outbreaks. This is not the first time that the International Federation has undertaken a similar task of responding to a global health risk. During the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, National Societies in Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with International Federation support, made it possible for volunteers and members to reach out to a large number of people with preventive measures. National authorities have the primary responsibility for addressing avian influenza and its effects on livelihoods. However, there is significant concern that national preparedness plans may not adequately take vulnerable groups into account or that their outreach capacities to communities are not sufficient. West and Central Africa is in a particularly vulnerable position and a special focus is needed on how to develop a response specifically geared to the challenges there. The current emphasis will remain on the prevention of transmission from animals to humans in communities. This will be done through the provision of information on poultry keeping and handling, early detection of human cases, dissemination of key health messages, hygiene education and the introduction of avian influenza preparedness measures in communities. To date, CHF 691,000 (USD 531,000 / EUR 438,000 has been allocated from the International Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to support National Societies already responding to avian influenza. However, new funds are required to scale up operations. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Jean-Luc Martinage, press officer, Tel (mobile): +41 79 217 33 86 Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Service, Tel: + 41 22 730 4428/+ 41 79 217 33 88 Duty phone (Out of Hours), Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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