GOSL LAUNCHES AVIAN INFLUENZA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000579 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/EPS AID FOR AFR, OFDA ACCRA FOR AID - WARP DAKAR FOR AID - WARP, OFDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU SENV ETRD EAID AMED CASC SL SUBJECT: GOSL LAUNCHES AVIAN INFLUENZA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ¶1. Summary: On July 13, EmbOff attended the Avian Influenza National Action Plan launch hosted by the newly created Sierra Leone Avian Influenza Secretariat. The Secretariat presented the National Action Plan, which includes strategies for prevention, monitoring, and response to an audience of poultry producers, government officials and NGO representatives. The secretariat put forward a request for $1.4 million and FAO committed to financial and logistic support. An offer of USAID training and technical assistance was welcomed. The Office of National Security has been doing Avian Influenza (AI) contingency planning with the limited means available. However, with a non-functioning agricultural extension service, the GoSL has little ability to detect AI. End Summary. ¶2. On July 13, The GoSL launched its Avian Influenza National Action Plan before an audience of 200 local poultry producers, government officials, and NGO representatives. Veterinarian and member of the Avian Influenza Technical Committee Dr. John Kamara detailed the challenges, explaining that Sierra Leone is seriously lacking in technical resources and personnel needed to monitor and evaluate the disease. He highlighted GoSL efforts to address the AI, including the rehabilitation of a veterinary laboratory in Freetown, but requested support from the international community for training and technical assistance. The committee proposed a budged of $1,383,691 to fund the AI Secretariat activities. Finally, Kamara appealed to local poultry producers to be patient during the current ban on chicken imports, which, he assured the audience, would be lifted as soon as the technical committee determined it was safe. (Note: Local chicken producers depend on imported chicks or eggs which are banned. End Note.) ¶3. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) offered its assistance to the new AI Secretariat. Though there was no discussion of proposed budget, FAO did commit to financial and logistic support. In brief remarks at the AI National Action Plan launch ceremony, EmbOff outlined USG support via USAID technical training and supplies, which will be delivered in the upcoming months. ¶4. Comment: The GoSL has expressed concern over the potential occurrence of AI in country. The local press has been reporting on AI in the region and reported the launch of the National Action Plan. There has been no confirmed AI in Sierra Leone up to this point, but the GoSL agricultural extension services are dysfunctional, leaving the GoSL little prepared to detect and contain an AI outbreak. The Office of National Security has been reasonably proactive, given the number of other immediate priorities, like the ongoing water shortage in Freetown. GoSL officials welcome assistance from the USG and are open to cooperative efforts to stave off an AI outbreak. End Comment HULL