Strengthening Community-Based Approaches to Management of Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) in Asia

This participatory project uses information and communication technology (ICT) to foster the exchange of strategies for addressing AHI in Asia at the local level. The project team is engaged in a process of soliciting, collecting, and documenting good practices in community-based AHI in Asia. One of the project partners, ADPC, began by surveying project managers from local, national, and international NGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC/RC) personnel, and local government staff who have responsibility for working with communities to implement AHI programmes. These personnel were asked to share their experiences by completing and emailing a form to ADPC. By gathering such information, organisers hope to create a toolkit of resources and reference materials for AHI practitioners. This resource will draw upon lessons learned and complement existing guides and communication toolkits developed by organisations such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), thereby (according to organisers) "contributing to a more comprehensive multi-sector perspective in AHI control and prevention at the community level. It will enhance the strategies by which community based organizations and NGOs can engage with international technical agencies and the government."

The results of this and other similar surveys will be made available on the project website, which (when complete) will include links to other AHI websites, an inventory of AHI community-based programmes in the region, reports of regional events and tools developed as part this project, and opportunities for online networking among practitioners in community-based management of AHI. A quarterly electronic newsletter provides information about regional developments, including the availability of AHI-NGO-RC project outputs.

Face-to-face communication is being drawn upon to facilitate the exchange of experience among community-based AHI practitioners in the region. Tour groups comprising community, RC/RC, and NGO representatives from different countries and organisations will take part in 4 week-long study tours in which they will observe, discuss, and learn from the implementation of AHI community-based programmes in other vulnerable communities and countries. There will be 2 categories of study tours: cross border, where particular attention will be paid to communities from neighbouring provinces; and internal study tours for representatives from communities within a country. The group leaders will capture the experiences and provide a report for publication. In addition, a training package will be developed to guide AHI practitioners in the use of the regional toolkit described above and to assist them in implementing community-based AHI programmes. This training package will also draw upon related training programmes such as community-based disaster risk management. The materials will be adapted to the multinational contexts, as required, and are expected to include additional case studies. They will also be translated into local languages by partner organisations.

Also reflecting the strategy of face-to-face communication, the Southeast Asia Regional Inter-Agency Information Sharing/Coordination Meetings on AHI are half-day forums designed to improve coordination of and enhance the sharing of knowledge between individuals and organisations working to mitigate the threat of AHI in Southeast Asia. Participants consist of representatives from international NGOs (INGOs), NGOs, United Nations (UN) agencies, donors, academia, and the private sector. Some of the key themes discussed in past meetings have included: risk communication strategies, contingency planning, impact of avian influenza on livelihood and poverty reduction strategies, role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in avian influenza control, prevention and control measures among displaced populations, and non-health aspects of pandemic planning. Country and regional simulation exercises are part of a strategy for making these meetings as interactive as possible.

Risk Management, Health.