WB to Lend $25M More for Human Influenza Control in Vietnam by 2014

The World Bank (WB) and the State Bank of Vietnam Oct 21 signed an agreement to lend $25 million more to the Vietnam Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness Project (VAHIP) in the 2011-2014 period. Of the sum, $10 million from the International Development Association, the WB’s arm for concessional lending to developing countries; $13 million will come from the Avian and Human Influenza Facility (AHIF) and $2 million from the government’s counterpart funds. Accordingly, the ministries of Health; Agriculture and Rural Development will carry out the project in 11 high-risk cities and provinces of Hanoi, Lang Son, Thai Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Long An, Binh Dinh, Tien Giang, Dong Thap, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Tay Ninh. The project will focus on boosting the effectiveness of public services in mitigating the risks of contracting flu for people in such 11 localities by controlling the disease at source in domestic poultry, early detection and response to poultry and human cases, and preparing for a possible human pandemic. The agreement will also help the Vietnamese government promote achievements to better cope with serious bird flu and diseases that spread from animals to people. This is the third operation that the WB, in partnership with the AHIF donors, has assisted Vietnam in controlling the highly infectious avian influenza and improving its readiness to cope with a potential human influenza pandemic. The first two operations, the Avian Influenza Emergency Recovery Project (AIERP) and the early VAHIP, with total funding of $40 million, were successfully carried out in Vietnam from 2004 to 2010. As of March 2011, Vietnam reported 119 confirmed human cases of H5N1, including 59 fatalities, accounting for 23% of the total number of human cases and 19% of the deaths worldwide. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Oct 22, Nhan Dan – The People Oct 22, Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi Oct 22, www2.dtinews.vn Oct 23)