Positioning VSF-B towards Avian Flu

Vision

Avian flu is spreading through the wild and domestic bird population of the African continent and will most probably remain for a long time. Socio-economic consequences are dramatic for vulnerable populations as poultry represents a source of valuable food, financial income and a way to reduce vulnerability. The risk of this zoonotic disease becoming a human pandemic is real. Every field activity aiming to strengthen poultry production takes Avian flu into account as well as other poultry diseases (known or emerging).

Goals

• To slow down and control Avian flu in birds, and avoid a livelihood crisis due to massive loss of local poultry production
• To decrease the risk of human pandemic, by appropriate and relevant activities
• To reassure the general public and to prevent unnecessary panic to reduce negative economical side effects on markets
  

 Approach

• In line with existing strategic document, VSF-B applies its knowledge for the vulnerable targeted groups that could be affected by Avian flu. This particular approach is underlining VSF-B gender approach as poultry is often managed by woman.
• Activities are seeking to tackle the real problems of targeted populations in a sustainable way, and are taking place in VSF-B countries of operation 
• Emergency activities are part of VSF-B mission only if it seems possible for these activities to evolve from emergency to development
• VSF-B is not opportunistic but is driven by the willingness to improve the well-being of disadvantaged populations
• VSF-B activities respect national plans to control Avian flu

Operational plan in countries of operations

• To reinforce existing epidemio-surveillance networks
• To provide training to Animal Health Workers on epidemiological aspects, control and prevention 
• To participate in early warning systems
• To encourage the participation of Animal Health Workers and VSF-B personnel in coordination meetings on avian flu
• To sensitize / provide information to small producers
• To produce and use awareness materials
• To sensitize on relevant actions in case of suspicion of disease
• To participate in technical meetings set up by governments
• Technical support to national authorities (if requested and based on capacity
• Participation in national activities of prevention (according to national plan)
  

Means

• In the short term: VSF-B is using human resources and logistical means that are already existing on ground in the countries of activities: project staff, local actors of CBAH networks, governmental veterinary services, didactic tools, veterinary material, to integrate Avian flu as an additional problematic disease in poultry production and poverty reduction. But VSF-B should not disperse its strengths and diverge from its already existing operational objectives
• In the mid term: VSF-B wants to make sure that it does not overwork its human resources already in place. VSF-B can consider introducing specific budget for specific action against Avian flu to donors. In that case, the project proposal should come from VSF-B actors already present in the country. According to the demand, VSF-B could seek funding for a “Avian flu coordinator” who could provide a monitoring to VSF-B staff and partners and who could help developing a specific Avian flu strategic approach making sure that every field project dealing with poultry develops an appropriate Avian flu component.