WESTERN SOMALIA: Avian Flu Contingency Plan
IRIN News Reports:
Ethiopia’s national avian flu coordination committee has approved a multi-million dollar contingency plan to strengthen preparedness in the event of the disease spreading to the Horn of Africa country. The three-year plan, costing almost US $124 million, was prepared by the Avian Human Influenza National Coordination Committee. It includes the creation of surveillance systems, stockpiling of essential medical supplies and equipment, as well as systems for building national, regional and local response capacity. It also aims to boost public awareness of the disease, and strengthen laboratory diagnostic services. The coordination committee comprises officials from various government ministries, United Nations agencies and aid donors. Seventy percent of the estimated cost of the plan would go to human health services, while 30 percent would be used on animal health. “The Preparedness Plan for the possible outbreak of the influenza is aimed at providing the necessary guidance for effecting activities that enhance the prevention and control of the influenza in the poultry and human population (…) and set up the necessary response to the influenza pandemic,†according to a summary of the plan prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Any similar plan for Somalia? I guess Somalia “Ilaahay uun baa u maqanâ€! Daawnaayoow waa dalkaagii!