fact sheet

United States Support For Turkey's Avian Influenza Efforts

$1,000,000 USAID Grant

The $1,000,000 USAID Grant support's Turkey's Avian Influenza (AI) and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response (AIHP) Project, which is also supported by the World Bank and the European Union.  The US grant has the following two components.

Restructuring the Poultry Sector ($750,000):

This component will focus on reduction of informal backyard poultry raising; bio-security enhancements at small and medium sized poultry farms; and introduction of new poultry-raising systems in sites that have been hit the hardest by Avian Influenza infection and extensive culling. The project will take immediate steps to monitor and improve conditions under which poultry is currently being re-stocked, while at the same time beginning more robust efforts to improve conditions in the medium to long term.  One idea under consideration for long-term, sustainable improvement is the creation of village-based cooperatives through which families could raise a small flock of poultry under more bio-secure conditions.

Public Awareness ($250,000):

This component supports expanding Avian Influenza public awareness in Turkey.  USAID funds will specifically focus on the public awareness efforts necessary to achieve the “restructuring” component above.  This will likely include field-based qualitative and quantitative research to create, roll-out, and evaluate behavior-change messages and techniques necessary to change informal poultry-raising practices.  Activities will target specific key audiences, such as adults who choose to raise poultry informally, small-holder poultry producers, local authorities, private sector institutions, and possibly consumers.

$325,000 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grant

The $325,000 grant from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be used for enhancing human health laboratory capacity and strengthening the national human health surveillance system for the Avian Influenza - Human Pandemic threat.  The grant can be renewable on an annual basis.  The grant is intended to potentially strengthen Turkey's contribution to regional efforts.

November 7, 2006