Mercy Corps Forms Avian Influenza Task Force

A man, wearing a safety mask and gloves, prays next to the grave of a young avian flu victim in eastern Turkey. The virus has spread to parts of Europe and the Middle East from Southeast Asia, where the majority of cases and fatalities have been reported. Photo: REUTERS/ANATOLIAN, courtesy of www.alertnet.org

Mercy Corps has created an agency-wide Avian Influenza Task Force (AITF) in response to the growing threat of avian influenza around the world, and especially in developing nations where the agency works.

"We are increasingly concerned with the threat posed by the current spread of avian influenza, and the possibility it may develop into a human influenza pandemic," said Nancy Lindborg, Mercy Corps' President. "Clearly, we need to prepare ourselves."

Mercy Corps' task force has begun dialogue within the organization to help staff understand the nature of the threat, prepare for possible scenarios and protect themselves, their families and the communities the agency serves. The organization is formulating a strategy for the threat, including measures for program response, staff care and advocacy.

The AITF, composed of several veteran Mercy Corps staff members, will also partner with colleague and government agencies, collect relevant information and recommend policies to guide response efforts.

"The unfortunate reality is that the threat from avian influenza will not dissipate any time soon," said George Devendorf, Mercy Corps' Director of Public Affairs and AITF Chair. "Our response effort will reflect a long-term, comprehensive approach to the challenge."

For more information on avian influenza, please visit the World Health Organization's Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Page at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Avian Influenza page at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm.