Press Releases

US Embassy Statement

U.S. Supports Turkey's Avian Influenza Preparedness

Ankara, November 7, 2006. 

The United States will support Turkey's Avian Influenza preparedness with two separate grants: one in the amount of $1 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to restructure the backyard poultry industry in Turkey; and the other from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for $325,000 to the Turkish Ministry of Health to enhance laboratory capacity.

In a ceremony at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, US Ambassador Ross Wilson, Minister Mehdi Eker and World Bank Country Director Andrew Vorkink signed the USAID grant agreement.

The USAID grant will focus on eastern Turkey where backyard poultry raising is common.  The grant will support development of safer poultry raising practices that will benefit rural farmers there and elsewhere in the country.  The World Bank will implement this grant as part of its Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response (AIHP) Project.

The CDC has awarded a separate grant in the amount of $325,000 to the Turkish Ministry of Health to enhance laboratory capacity and preparations for Avian Influenza and potential human pandemic.

This US support complements Turkey's efforts to work domestically and with international partners to combat the spread of the Avian Influenza virus.  "Turkey's response to the outbreaks earlier this year was strong, quick, and transparent, including excellent cooperation with international partners," said Ambassador Wilson.  "Turkey's response and preparedness serves as a regional model.  The US government is pleased to continue to closely work with the government of Turkey on these efforts.  This is an important component of world-wide US efforts to combat Avian Influenza."

>>Fact Sheet: United States Support For Turkey's Avian Influenza Efforts