World Bank chalks out $500 mln to help countries better prepare for pandemic flu

The money will top up an existing 500 million dollar credit line -- the Global Program for Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response (GPAI) -- set up in January 2006 to minimize the threat posed to people by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1, especially in the poorest countries. Fifty-seven countries used the GPAI to finance avian influenza control and human pandemic preparedness operations with a total commitment value of 421 million dollars. "The Bank's decision today will expand the GPAI to allow the Bank to 'fast-track' emergency A/H1N1 financing to low, and middle-income countries to buy drugs, medical equipment and supplies, to pay for hospital care and public information campaigns, to strengthen human and livestock health surveillance, and help to blunt the economic and social costs associated with pandemic flu," said the World Bank in a statement; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.chinaview.cn for full version