Japan to grant US $135 million to ASEAN to fight bird flu
Japan will provide US $135 million to assist Southeast Asian countries in fighting the spread of the avian influenza, said a Japanese official while in Malaysia for summits between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners.
About US $46.8 million of the aid would be allocated to help Asian nations in stockpiling anti-viral drugs for 500,000 people as well as testing materials and disease control for 700,000 people, the official said.
International organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will receive US $49.1 million from the aid to conduct a communication campaign in rural areas and provide influenza vaccinations to those in high-risk in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, the official added.
About US $19.3 million will go to the World Organisation for Animal Health and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation for capacity building in areas of national veterinary services, notification systems and contingency plans against the avian influenza.
Japan will hold an international conference on bird flu at the end of next month with the participation of Asian countries. (VNA)
BTA Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held