$16m WB credit to fight bird flu
Unb, Dhaka
The World Bank has approved a $16 million credit for Bangladesh from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the country's efforts to minimise the threat and risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).This Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Project is designed to control such infections in domestic poultry and prepare for controlling and responding to possible human infections, specially an influenza epidemic and related emergencies, according to a WB release. It said this would be achieved through three types of interventions -- prevention, preparedness and planning. The project focuses on three broad areas -- animal health, public awareness and information. The project supports the government's National Avian Influenza and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan, which provides a strategic national framework to control and contain any HPAI outbreak. The project will also be co-financed initially by a $2 million grant from the Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) Facility, which is administered by the World Bank and supported by nine donors, including the European Commission, the release added.
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