International Federation of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Caribbean
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IFRC launches global appeal to reduce the impact of Pandemic influenza
- 30, April 2009 | ||||||||
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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today launched a preliminary appeal for 5 million Swiss francs (4.4 million US dollars / 3.3 million euro) to fund its response to the increasing worldwide spread of H1N1 influenza and the imminent risk of a global pandemic. Such a measure is now considered essential after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic alert to level 5 and called for an immediate and urgent response from the international community. The recent emergence of a new strain of influenza is a situation of urgent concern for the IFRC and, according to the WHO, is beyond containment with a high potential to develop into a global pandemic. As the world body for the global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the IFRC has taken immediate steps to support the swift scaling up of its members’ preparedness, mitigation and response operations. “We estimate that more than 130 of our 186 national members worldwide are already active in mitigating the impact of the flu virus,” says Bekele Geleta, secretary general of the IFRC. “These activities include working closely with governments as part of national responses to reduce the risk of infection; disseminating vital public health messages; strengthening early warning systems, and building capacities or mobilizing trained community volunteers to cope with a possible pandemic.” According to Dr. Pierre Duplessis, the IFRC’s pandemic influenza specialist, “reducing the risk of exposure is identified by the WHO as one of the main key strategic actions in fighting pandemics”. “The WHO has recommended measures to reduce risks associated with the spread of HIN1 influenza and the IFRC will work hard to guarantee consistency with these recommendations. We will also ensure a well-coordinated sharing of responsibilities with the WHO and other partners,” says Duplessis. This response builds on two years of lessons learned from the SARS and avian flu crises. “Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will continue to make a critical contribution to public health measures, particularly at community level, thereby preparing for and reducing the impact of the potentially severe consequences of pandemic flu,” according to Dr Tammam Aloudat, senior health specialist with the IFRC. The IFRC has pre-positioned pandemic preparedness experts in each of its seven zones across the globe and has spent the past two years developing tools to help National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies prepare for such an eventuality. “Funding is now needed to apply these resources where they are most needed,” Aloudat adds. Aloudat recognizes the serious threat of a global pandemic but is quick to emphasize that it is important to avoid causing unnecessary panic. “A huge amount of work has been done by governments and local organizations to prepare for a pandemic flu scenario,” he says. “While it may be too late to contain the outbreak, it is not too late to reduce its impact. Today’s appeal for resources will support such efforts enormously.” Secretary General Bekele Geleta concludes: “The IFRC has paid full attention to the WHO’s unambiguous advice that this matter needs to be acted upon with ‘increased urgency’. This event is a test of our collective capacity to prepare for and respond to global risks that go beyond borders. Through this appeal we will make sure that our national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are well equipped to play their part in accordance with the national plans of their respective countries and WHO directives.” |
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