H5N1: Red Cross needs $13.7m
2006-04-20 13:25
Geneva - The world's largest disaster relief agency appealed on Thursday for 17.4 million Swiss francs ($13.7m) to train tens of thousands of Red Cross volunteers to shore up defences against any bird flu pandemic.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said west and central Africa were "particularly vulnerable" if the H5N1 virus began to spread amongst humans, because healthcare services there were often weak.
Experts including United Nations bird flu co-ordinator David Nabarro had said Red Cross and Red Crescent societies were a key frontline partner in gearing up preparedness against a pandemic.
H5N1 avian flu virus spreads quickly
The federation said: "A crucial part of the International Federation's response will be to specially train 50 000 volunteers and staff to respond to the specific nature of the crisis."
According to the statement, among more than two dozen countries, where the Federation was already preparing to respond to avian flu were China, Iraq and North Korea.
The H5N1 avian flu virus had spread quickly in recent months, and had been reported in 42 countries across Asia, Europe and parts of Africa.
According to the World Health Organisation, the disease was known to have killed 110 people and infected 196 since 2003.
Bird flu remained primarily an animal disease, but experts said the virus could acquire the ability to pass rapidly from human to human and could kill millions of people in a pandemic.
Public awareness campaigns
The Federation, which linked 183 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, mobilised teams of volunteers during the epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed some 800 people in 2003.
It said that national authorities had the primary responsibility to address the threat of avian flu.
It said: "However, there is significant concern that national preparedness plans may not adequately take vulnerable groups into account or that their outreach capacities to communities are not sufficient."
It said that Red Cross and Red Crescent societies would also help with public awareness campaigns on handling poultry, early detection of human cases and education on hygiene measures.
To date, the agency had spent some 700 000 Swiss francs ($551 600) from its emergency fund to support its members.