However, the pipeline commitment is tentative and the specific amounts and timing are subject to change as well as the existing projects would require restructuring, a seminar on Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) was told in Singapore yesterday.

The WB has devised a support programme for the developing countries to fight avian flu in animals and was preparing for a possible human flu pandemic through a global funding programme formerly known as the Global Programme for Avian Influenza (GPAI).

The bank's board of executive directors endorsed the programme in January this year in Beijing with a pledge of $1.9 billion dollars.

Some 30 developing and least developed countries, including Bangladesh, remained in the pipeline for the credit likely to be disbursed within 6-12 months while the bank has already committed $1.2 billion for 15 most-affected areas.

"This indicates a more rapid response than seen in the aftermath of recent major natural disasters, such as the Indian Ocean tsunami," a senior executive of the World Bank told the seminar at Suntec Singapore.

To help countries prepare projects for financing, the World Bank's task teams would provide analytic and advisory assistance. The GPAI allows for the use of up to $500 million in IBRD loans or IDA credits or grants for new projects or restructuring of existing projects with or without additional financing.

The seminar was told that limited grant resources were also available from the bank-administered trust funds for financing AHI projects.

The newly established multi-donor trust fund, the AHI facility, has an initial endowment of $75 million from a number of donors, including the European Commission.

Countries could access funding from the bank to strengthen their veterinary and health services to deal with avian flu outbreaks among animals, minimise the threat posed to people, and prepare for and respond to any potential human flu pandemic.