World Bank Supports Afghanistan’s Efforts to Combat Avian
Influenza
Contacts:
In Kabul Abdul Raouf Zia (93) 702 80800
Azia@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, January 11, 2007 ─ The World Bank today approved a US$8 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the
Government of Afghanistan’s efforts to minimize the threat and risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project is designed to prevent the spread of avian influenza to
humans, and develop and implement HPAI prevention, containment, control and eradication activities in livestock sector. It will also support a national
program to raise public awareness through strategic communication.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported 26 confirmed cases of the avian influenza (H5N1) virus in sampled chicken in
four provinces. The virus, which was first found in the province of Nangahar, appeared to be spreading fast, with infection occurring in five new provinces in
close succession (Kabul, Laghman, Logar, Parwan and Kapisa). However, since bird migration stopped in May, there have been no further outbreaks in
Afghanistan.

“Even though there have been no new cases in the past six months, there is no room for complacency,” said Mariam Sherman, World Bank Acting
Country Manager for Afghanistan. “Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to the avian influenza virus, especially because of the large role poultry
plays in the lives of many Afghans. This project will help reduce the disease in animals and humans and consequent economic losses.”

Around 85 percent of Afghanistan’s rural population is involved in agricultural crop and livestock production. The estimated national flock comprises more
than 12 million chickens, with an average of nearly four chickens per family. It is estimated that 98 percent of the national flock are reared under
backyard scavenger systems with little or no provision of feed and medications.

The country does not have a national system of surveillance of diseases of high morbidity and mortality and has little capacity to rapidly collect, store
and transport samples of suspected animal or human cases to regional laboratories. Further, there are no stockpiles of anti-viral or stocks of personal
protective equipment or equipment for isolation in the event of an outbreak. The provision of veterinary services, in both the private and public sectors, are
limited.
The total cost of the project is estimated at US$13 million of which US$8 million has been financed by the World Bank and the remaining US$5 million will be co-
financed by the Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) Facility. The AHI Facility is administered by the World Bank and is supported by nine donors, including the
European Commission.

The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm.

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                             For more information on the Bank’s work in Afghanistan, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.af

   For more information about the World Bank’s work on avian and human pandemic influenza, please visit http://www.worldbank.org/avianflu
                                                    For project information, please visit the project web site.