Bird flu: US to provide 44 million dollars in extra aid
Rome, 11 Nov. (AKI) -
The United States will provide an additional 44.4 million dollars in support for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization's avian influenza control and prevention campaign.
With the new funding from the United States Agency for International Development, US support for the FAO's avian influenza programme has reached a total of 112.8 million dollars. The United States remains the largest donor to FAO's bird flu control activities implemented in more than 96 countries.
The funds are mainly earmarked for improving controls in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and elsewhere. Indonesia, Vietnam and Egypt will be the top beneficiaries.
"Although many countries have successfully managed to get avian influenza under control, the virus remains present in ten countries and is mainly entrenched in countries like Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam," said FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
"The additional US funds will enable FAO to continue its work in support of countries that are still struggling to get the virus under control."
Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez of the US Mission to FAO said the strong partnership is an integral component of international efforts to contain and control bird flu at its animal source.
The FAO's avian influenza programme currently amounts to around 282.7 million dollars and donors include the United States, Sweden, Australia, Japan, the European Commission, the United Kingdom, and several other countries.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been at least 387 cases of bird flu around the world and 246 people have died from the disease. Indonesia has recorded the greatest number of fatalities - 112 deaths
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