USAID Provides $450,000 to Bolster Civil Society Role in Preventing Pandemics

Thursday, September 17, 2009

HANOI, September 17, 2009 – The United States today announced additional support for Vietnam’s pandemic control activities through a new $450,000 project designed to strengthen the role of civil society in combating influenza A/H1N1 and other threats.

Under a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) will develop a pandemic influenza preparedness and response plan and provide training for civil society organizations active in the country.

“The U.S. Government is proud to have been able to provide support to our Vietnamese colleagues in their successful efforts to date,” said U.S. Ambassador Michael W. Michalak. “We will continue to provide support to maintain vigilance regarding avian and pandemic influenza, while Vietnam responds, in what we are sure will be an equally successful manner, to the current H1N1 pandemic.”

The civil society support activity complements government priorities and plans in pandemic influenza preparedness and response to minimize preventable deaths and illnesses, and lessen the impact of a potential pandemic influenza.

The one-year project carried out in partnership with national authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will enhance Vietnam’s ability to respond to community needs in an influenza pandemic in areas of health, food security and livelihoods in Vietnam.  Central to the project is support for effective coordination between governmental and United Nations agencies, mass organizations, and NGOs.

Since 2005, the U.S. Government has provided more than $33.5 million to support Vietnam’s programs to combat avian and pandemic influenza. Related USAID activities include joint cross border pandemic exercises with China and Laos, support to develop and improve provincial pandemic preparedness plans, training of animal health workers and veterinarians, public communication campaigns, and journalist training in H1N1 prevention and control measures.

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