3:26:18 PM | 7/8/2005
WB Supports Vietnam's Control of Avian Influenza
The World Bank approved a US$5 million emergency credit to support Vietnam's National Action Plan for the control of the avian influenza epidemic on August 4, 2004.
The Vietnam Avian Influenza Emergency Recovery project has a threefold target. Firstly, it aims to strengthen disease surveillance and the diagnostic capacity in the control of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Secondly, the project will try to strengthen the poultry sector’s infrastructure to better cope with serious outbreaks of disease and thirdly to safeguard human health by improving public awareness and information.
The recent epidemic has been a financial disaster for Vietnam’s commercial poultry industry and has also affected the livelihood of millions of small-scale poultry farmers. Of the 12 million farming households in the country it is estimated that over 70 per cent keep poultry, constituting an especially important source of household incomes, especially for women.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be US$6.2 million, of which the World Bank will contribute US$5 million in IDA emergency credit, FAO will finance US$550,000, mainly for technical assistance and training, and the government will put forward US$650,000.
The International Development Association (IDA) Credit is being extended with standard IDA terms and conditions, with a 40-year maturity and a 10-year grace period.
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