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Red
Cross Red Crescent says early warning at community level is essential
in combating avian influenza 17 January 2006 Effective early warnings in communities and villages are the best way to combat avian flu, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies told the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza in Beijing today. “The real work must be done at the community and village level where the risk of contact with infected poultry or of contamination is highest for farmers, their families, and others,” said Markku Niskala, Secretary General of the International Federation. “The worldwide Red Cross Red Crescent network, with its tens of millions of volunteers, is the ideal partner for reaching people quickly and without discrimination,” said Mr Niskala. “Hygiene and basic sanitation are simple preventive steps that everyone should be taking. The International Federation is willing and able to play a significant part in preventing avian flu and – if worst comes to worst and there is a pandemic – providing relief and response,” he said. In response to an outbreak in Turkey last week, the Turkish Red Crescent Society will be undertaking a community awareness programme across the whole country. Already, the International Federation has set up internet-based tools for its member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to adapt to their own contexts. Many Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, for example the Vietnam Red Cross Society, give out information that keeps people safe and avoids panic. In addition, some societies have been involved in disinfecting poultry farms or helping farming families who have lost their livelihoods. In preparing for a possible outbreak, the International Federation has identified its areas of expertise as community education, psychological support, tracing family members, support for orphans and vulnerable children and assistance in the case of economic hardship. Red Cross Society of China executive vice president Jiang Yiman said the SARS crisis showed that prevention is even more important than treatment. “During the SARS epidemic, the nationwide presence of the Red Cross Society of China made it possible for volunteers and members to reach big numbers of people with preventive measures, such as information or hygiene kits. “For avian flu, we cannot forget prevention,” she said. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Beijing: Maude Froberg, Information delegate Tel: +661 823 92 18 In Geneva: Sian Bowen, Head, Media Service Tel: + 41 79 217 33 88 Duty phone (Out of Hours) Tel: + 41 79 416 3881 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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