UN Support to National Preparedness
The Inter-ministerial National Committee on the Communicable Diseases and Control (CDC), chaired by the Prime Minister and supported by the Secretariat of the National Committee, is the central government body exercising leadership over the coordination of all Avian Influenza efforts.
The UN Country Team (UNCT) in the Lao PDR provides coordination support and technical assistance to the Government of the Lao PDR to strengthen the preparedness capacity of the various Ministries. A dedicated AHI Coordination Unit has been established within the Office of the Resident Coordinator to support the pandemic prevention and preparedness efforts in Lao PDR. The Coordination Unit supports the UNCT, Government and resident and non-resident donors in the coordination of financial, technical and other inputs. The Coordination Unit coordinates the multiple needs of the Government and partners, supporting their policymaking with regard to AHI and acting as a neutral knowledge and information management mechanism. UN AHI Coordination Unit maintains a close working relationship with the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office (NAHICO).
Under the aegis of the Lao Government, the UN structure comprises the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Cross-Sectoral Influenza Working Group, with executive support provided by the AHI Coordination Unit of the Office of the Resident Coordinator.
The UN Resident Coordinator accepts overall responsibility for avian and human influenza coordination support to the Government of Lao PDR and ensures that such coordination is carried out in neutral, effective and efficient manner, recognising the necessity of a cross-sectoral approach. The UN Cross-Sectoral Influenza Working Group supports the joint avian influenza response and promotes dialogue and timely information sharing among the key partners. The Group acts as an advisory committee for the coordination of joint efforts for pandemic prevention and preparedness, offering assistance to the Lao Government through its line Ministries, and the National Coordination Committee to Prevent Contagious Diseases.
While the Working Group is chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator, the FAO Representative has the main responsibility for support related to avian influenza in livestock and poultry and the WHO Representative will lead the efforts related to human health. UNICEF promotes the crosscutting focus on children and supports the development and implementation of an appropriate communications strategy. UNDP offers operational expertise, as required by various partners. In addition the Working Group consists of WFP, ADB and the World Bank.
The UN Cross-Sectoral Influenza Working Group meets twice monthly, or more frequently as required, to:
- Review the current situation, with particular reference to planned and actual preventive measures, and to mitigate in supporting the Government in its national pandemic preparedness; and
- Share key information and propose pandemic preparedness actions to the Government and its development partners, offer its expertise and advice for the use of the Government and donors in support of an effective pandemic response and coordinated donor efforts.
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