In Baku: Saida Bagirli +99412 92 19 41 sbagirli@worldbank.org In Washington: Miriam Van Dyck (202) 458 2931 mvandyck@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, March 28, 2006--The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today agreed to make available US$5.1 million to help finance avian flu prevention, preparedness and response activities in Azerbaijan over the short to medium term. The funds will be made available via restructuring of the Second Institution Building Technical Assistance Project (IBTA-2) to support Azerbaijan’s response to the avian flu emergency. “The World Bank processed this restructuring of the IBTA-2 project in record time to help the National Avian Flu Commission implement its plan to address the bird flu threat,” said Donna Dowsett-Coirolo, World Bank Country Director for the South Caucasus. The National Avian Flu Commission’s plan is intended to diminish the burden of disease and loss of productivity caused by avian flu, to limit the regional spread of the disease within Azerbaijan, and to enhance economic and social safety at the national, regional and global levels. The restructured project includes the following four components: 1. Veterinary Services. This component will strengthen Azerbaijan’s animal disease surveillance, diagnostic and response capacity. It will also support studies on the possibility of carrying out poultry vaccination and includes plans to design a compensation mechanism for both commercial and backyard poultry producers. 2. Human Health. The component will strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, and medical services by providing equipment, training, and drugs to the Ministry of Health. It will also help to reduce the impact of global pandemic, if one were to develop. 3. Public Awareness. This component supports implementation of a communication campaign to increase awareness among the population about the risks of bird flu and appropriate behaviors in dealing both with poultry and wild birds; and 4. Implementation Support. The component would support costs associated with project management and coordination. The World Bank is already providing immediate support to Azerbaijan for critically needed veterinary and hospital equipment and supplies under two ongoing World Bank-financed projects that include veterinary services and human health among their main development objectives. Additional support for Avian Flu response is planned under two new projects now under preparation, the Agriculture Development Credit Project-2 (ADCP-2) for animal health services, and the Health Reform Project for human health needs. The financing will be on standard IDA conditions; with 35 years of maturity of which 10 years are grace period. Azerbaijan joined the World Bank in 1992. Since then, commitments to the country total approximately US$ 930 million for 30 operations. -###- For more information about the World Bank's work in Azerbaijan, visit www.worldbank.org.az |
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