Dominican Republic: Thematic Group tackles avian flu issue

In one of its recent monthly meetings, the Thematic Group on Rural Development and Food Security in Dominican Republic discussed the issue of the avian flu, the existing epidemiological alert systems in the country and the possible economic impact of the disease.

Representatives from FAO, WHO, World Food Programme, the French Development agency, the United States Department of Agriculture as well as representatives from the ministry of Agriculture attended the meeting. Pascal Hendrikx, Regional Technical Assistant from the French Embassy made a brief presentation on the evolution of the disease and the need for the country to implement an early warning system to prevent spreading of the disease that could lead to serious consequences for both public health and the economy. Mr. Hendrikx called for increased institutional coordination among the concerned bodies in order to effectively signal and control the possible outbreaks.

The participants also discussed on the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development (UNPPA) currently developed in the country. Mr. John Gagain, Director of the Presidential Commission on the Millennium Development Goals and the UNPPA informed the group about the progress achieved so far since July 2005. Various working groups were formed to assess the needs and cost involved to reach the MDGs within 2015. According to Mr. Gagain, some $29 billion would be required. The working groups will begin validation of the proposals on the field through a pilot project to be carried out in the province of El Seybo, the poorest province located in northeast Dominican Republic.

The UNPPA is one of a series of recent initiatives promoted by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that emphasizes the positive role business can play in development to help achieve the Council's multiple roles of encouraging economic and social advancement, promoting collaboration and cooperation and reviewing the results of such efforts within and outside the United Nations system. The Council selected the Dominican Republic in July 2005 as the second pilot country after Madagascar.

For more information on the Thematic Group in Dominican Republic , please contact the FAO representation at FAO-DO@fao.org