The World Bank Tuesday approved "fast-track" status for US$500 million to help countries finance emergency operations to prevent and control outbreaks of the A/H1N1 flu.

The money will top up an existing US$500 million credit line -- the Global Program for Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response (GPAI) -- set up in January 2006 to minimize the threat posed to people by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1, especially in the poorest countries.

Fifty-seven countries used the GPAI to finance avian influenza control and human pandemic preparedness operations with a total commitment value of 421 million dollars.

"The Bank's decision today will expand the GPAI to allow the Bank to 'fast-track' emergency A/H1N1 financing to low, and middle-income countries to buy drugs, medical equipment and supplies, to pay for hospital care and public information campaigns, to strengthen human and livestock health surveillance, and help to blunt the economic and social costs associated with pandemic flu," said the World Bank in a statement.

"This is a particularly bad time for a pandemic to occur given that developing countries are more vulnerable now because of the compounded effects of the food, fuel and financial crises," said Jeff Gutman, the World Bank's Vice President for Operations.

"The worst-case scenarios for pandemic flu point to a significant economic impact, with poor people in developing countries likely to be hit hardest," he warned. "In light of the uncertainties surrounding the future spread and severity of flu outbreaks, we feel that it is important to provide countries with rapid support to respond to pandemic threats, and to build up their capacity to prevent and control zoonotic diseases."

The World Bank recently mobilized more than 205 million dollars in "fast-track" funds to Mexico to help it fight the spread of the influenza A/H1N1 with 25 million dollars for drugs and supplies and another 180 million dollars for disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and other operational activities.

Gutman noted the World Bank will also provide countries with the latest evidence and lessons learned from previous emergency responses such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, and post-disaster reconstruction after the 2004 Asian tsunami, to help them with their pandemic flu contingency plans, while also working to strengthen their human and animal health systems.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2009)