Asian cooperation in animal and human health
The EU is improving animal and human health in Asia. This is done in cooperation with other international organizations and, recently, through the highly pathogenic and emerging diseases (HPED) programme. Over 2007-2010, €48 million was spent on health programmes covering Asia.
Focus on avian influenza
In 2006, the European Commission committed €30 million to Asia and €10 million to Central Asia and Eastern Europe, to help poorer countries to tackle avian flu (also called "bird flu" or "avian influenza") in animals.
The bulk of the funds was channeled through the Avian and Human Influenza Facility (AHIF), a multi-donor trust fund administered by the World Bank.
The European Commission continued funding AHIF in the 2007 - 2013 period: from €48 million available for regional programme related to animal and human health, €23.5 million was added to the trust fund.
AHIF can award grants to eligible governments or contract international organisations to help them develop and implement their avian and human influenza national plans.
Various types of activities can be funded: public awareness and communication components, technical assistance, capacity building, trainings, equipment and operational expenses.
2009-2013: The new HPED Programme
The new regional programme that was launched in December 2009 focuses on Highly Pathogenic and Emerging Diseases (HPED). It has been allocated €20 million.
The HPED programme shall enable the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to control HPEDs and to improve epidemic and pandemic preparedness in the region.
- More about HPED Programme