Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic (AIHP) Preparedness and Response

Within the scope of the public awareness component, the organisers are planning the design and production of public awareness materials. The Avian Influenza Strategic Communication Working Group has been established with the participation of relevant public institutions such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF), international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and civil society organisations, all under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. The working group has prepared an Avian Influenza Communication Strategy Document to raise awareness among the public.

In the line with the Strategy Document mentioned above, the organisers plan to develop communication materials to be used to raise awareness among the public. A production company selected under World Bank tender procedures will produce the materials. The following materials are planned to be produced by May 15 2008:

• Design of a Campaign Logo: A logo will be designed to represent the entire campaign. This logo will be used in all visual materials including posters, brochures, spot films, portals, inserts, press releases, etc.
• Design of Brochure and Posters: Six posters and six brochures will be designed. These will focus on the three main "periods" - pre-avian influenza, during avian influenza, and after avian influenza, and the key groups as assessed by the organisers - families who keep backyard poultry, poultry consumers, children, producers, hunters, and political decision makers.
• Production of Spot Films: Nine spot films of 30-45 seconds with informative, educative, and reliable content are being prepared. These will be broadcast over national and local television channels, and will focus on the three main periods and key groups, as mentioned above.
• Production of a Documentary: A documentary demonstrating the efforts to address avian influenza in Turkey will be produced. The documentary will document experiences within Turkey since the emergence of avian influenza, collect opinions of scientists, and attempt to show the magnitude of the danger.
• Production of Radio Spots: An undetermined number of radio spots of 30-45 seconds with informative, educational, and reliable content are in production. These will be broadcast over national and local radio channels.
• Creating a Cartoon Character for Kids: A cartoon character will be developed for use in cartoons, painting books, brochures, and posters.
• Preparation of Media Kits: The following will be distributed to members of the media: a Guideline for Journalists on Avian Influenza; a CD of archived images (ready-made images for journalists to prevent the use of images from old pandemics); copies of the spot films and the documentary; and - for campaign recognition - a handbag, blocknote, and pen with the campaign logo.
• Design for Newspapers: "Warnings" to be used in the newspapers are being prepared.
• Design of a Web Portal: One of the main elements described in the Communication Strategy is the efficient use of the internet in the process of combatting avian influenza. The structure of the portal will include: messages with political decisiveness; source documents for members of the press; cartoons and informative animations for children; protection methods for consumers; informative and educative animations and graphics; continuously updated content; spot films; voice recordings; documentaries; guides; brochures; and posters - all ready for download. This aims to facilitate a rapid flow of information to organisations and citizens during a pandemic. The portal will be prepared in both English and Turkish and will be operated as two websites.

Pilot Projects

Within the scope of Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic (AIHP) Preparedness and Response project, in order to assure structural change in backyard poultry and to develop bio-security measures in the poultry sector three pilot behaviour change projects are in development. They include: 1) Information Kiosks in Rural Markets; 2) Improving Risk Perception in Bio-Security for Small and Medium Scale Egg and Broiler Enterprises; and 3) Avian Influenza Awareness for Users of Wetlands.

Mobile Information Kiosks for Rural Markets
The kiosks to inform members of the public living in rural areas and remote neighbourhoods will be mobile vehicles. These vehicles will aim to unite the provinces that are under avian influenza risk and will provide information and some training by temporarily residing in crowded areas like market places. The visual information and training materials - like spot films, posters, and brochures - will be distributed to the public by the relevant personnel in these marketplaces. The current plan is for purchase of ten vehicles. They will be equipped with a DVD player and an overhead projector.

Improvement of Risk Perception in Bio-Security by Small and Medium Scale Egg and Broiler Enterprises
Trainings have been planned to raise awareness on potential threats among entrepreneurs and employees and to develop and establish bio-security measures as an inseparable part and habit of their daily tasks. The pilot project started with the identification of relevant provinces where small and medium enterprises are intensive, and, subsequently, the training modules and contents have been prepared. Official announcements were made to Provincial Agriculture Directorates, and Provincial Directorates have been assigned with the task of selection of trainers, participants, location, and organisations. These are planned to be completed by May 31 2008.

Raising Avian Influenza Awareness Among Wetland and Users
The users of wetlands are categorised as (i) hunters; and (ii) wetland beneficiaries. In line with recent developments, the hunters constitute the group with priority in terms of avian influenza trainings. Hunter issues were discussed with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF), and the Ministry decided to include avian influenza in the curriculum of Hunter Certificate Courses. The official procedure is ongoing in MOEF. Training modules and materials are being prepared by European Union Avian Influenza Technical Assistance Team. Wetland beneficiaries in the provinces, where trainings to villagers in wetlands will be given, have been identified.

Health, Natural Resource Management.