World Bank Approves US$4 million additional Grant for Niger Community Action Support Project (CAP)

Contacts:

In Washington:

Herbert Boh +1 202 473 3548

hboh@worldbank.org

In Niamey:

Ayi Adamah Klouvi 227-20 73 56 16

aklouvi@worldbank.org

Ibrahim Cheick Diop 227-20 73 56 16

idiop@worldbank.org           

WASHINGTON, DC, December 18, 2007 – The World Bank Board of Directors approved an International Development Association (IDA) additional grant in the amount of US$4,821,073 to the Government of the Republic of Niger for the Community Action Program support project (PAC).

The proposed additional grant would help finance the costs of a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu Influenza (HPAI) prevention and control components which would include the following sub components.

1)                               Provision of support to the Recipient’s veterinary services with respect to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, including: (i) Enhancing prevention and preparedness capacity; (ii) Strengthening disease surveillance and diagnostic capacity; and (iii) Strengthening control programs and outbreak containment plans.

2)                               Provision of support to the Recipient’s human health services with respect to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, including: (i) Strengthening national public health surveillance systems; (ii) and Strengthening health system response capacity.

3)                               Improving public awareness and communications on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, including: (i) Supporting information and communications activities, and (ii) Improving collaboration with the Recipient’s partners and stakeholders, in relation to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

4)                               Strengthening monitoring and evaluation of Avian Influenza related activities.

The overall objectives of the CAP are : Sustained poverty reduction and improved local governance through empowering communities and local governments, to improve natural resource  and ecosystem management, and to raise level of Heath, Education, and food security thereby stimulating economic growth.

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For more information about the World Bank in Sub Saharan Africa visit www.worldbank.org/afr

For more information about IDA in Africa visit www.worldbank.org/ida

For more information about the World Bank in Niger visit www.worldbank.org/niger

For more information about this project visit

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=64624210&theSitePK=2748750&menuPK=2805043&Projectid=P065991