| The World Bank has two main mechanisms to help its client countries deal with avian influenza in animals and to prepare for a possible human flu pandemic.
The first of these is a global funding program, formally known as the Global Program for Avian Influenza (GPAI). The second mechanism are trust funds, notably the new multidonor Avian and Human Influenza Facility (AHIF), which will channel approximately 5 percent of the funds pledged by donors at the Beijing Conference on avian flu in January 2006 and the Bamako pledging conference in December 2006.
To help countries prepare projects for financing, Bank task teams are also providing a range of analytical and advisory assistance. THE GLOBAL PROGRAM FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA (GPAI) All developing countries are eligible to receive financing under this program, which allows for the use of up to US$500 million in loans from IBRD, and in credits or grants from the Bank's concessional lending arm, the International Development Association (IDA).
The Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved the program in January 2006. It is an adaptable loan program, which can be applied across countries as needed. It draws on an integrated approach developed in conjunction with FAO, OIE, and WHO. Countries can access funding to strengthen their veterinarian and health services to deal with avian flu outbreaks among animals, and minimize the threat posed to people, and prepare for, and respond to, any potential human flu pandemic. The Bank is processing these operations using its emergency procedures, allowing quick preparation and approval.
The program document is available by clicking here (pdf).
As of December 2007, the World Bank has approved financing of $390 million for 48 projects in more than 50 countries in all six geographic regions (see table below). The financing provided comprises: $302 million from IBRD/IDA and $88 million from trust funds administered by the World Bank. In the table below, countries whose names appear in italics received funding from IBRD/IDA. Countries with yellow backgrounds received funding from Bank-administered trust funds (AHIF and Japanese Policy and Human Resources Development Fund[PHRD]). Detailed information regarding the components, costs and implementation procedures for these projects can be found in the World Bank project portal (Database links) and in each project's appraisal document (PAD). All documents will open in pdf format:
Additional countries have AHI projects under preparation. Please refer to the project pipeline for current information on these “pipeline“ projects. Project Pipeline Other integrated avian and human influenza projects are in advanced stages of preparation, with appraisal and subsequent approval by the Bank already scheduled in the coming months. To access the current pipeline of projects, click on the link in "Resources" at the top of this page. In addition to new self-standing operations, the Bank is also supporting avian flu control and human pandemic preparedness programs through restructuring of ongoing projects (with or without additional financing from IBRD and IDA). Information on pipeline project scope and scale, and the amount of financing that may be provided by the Bank, are subject to change during later stages of project preparation, appraisal, and negotiations. AVIAN AND HUMAN INFLUENZA FACILITY (AHIF) The AHI Facility has been created to assist developing countries in meeting financing gaps in their integrated country programs to minimize the risk and socio economic impact of avian and possible human pandemic influenza. In many cases, the facility is cofinancing the Bank's global financing facility, GPAI. But self-standing projects will also be financed, especially to promote action in countries, which are behind in their preparedness. More than $100 million has been pledged so far, with the European Commission being the largest donor. As all developing countries, some 145 of them, are at risk of avian flu and need to prepare for a possible human pandemic, the amount expected to be available for any one developing country's program is highly constrained. Click here for more details. |
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