Donors fail to ante up for Bank bird flu efforts
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According to a June Bank report, a mere $286 million out of the originally pledged $1.9 billion has been committed for avian flu preparedness. The funds are to go towards “improving veterinary systems, vaccination programs, and providing education on hygienic animal-raising”. In addition, the Bank and the European Commission have set up a joint $10 million trust fund. The Avian and Human Influenza Facility will be available in grant form to countries with insufficient resources, in order to reduce the social and economic impact in the event of a bird flu outbreak.