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Australian aid programme initiatives
to combat emerging infectious diseases
Australian Agency for International Development
A
ustralia is a leader in the response to pandemic and emerg-
ing infectious disease threats in the Asia Pacific region and
contributes to other regions through the global programmes
of multilateral agencies. The Australian Government’s aid agency,
the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID),
administers an AU$150 million package to support the response
to pandemic and emerging infectious diseases.
AusAID and emerging infectious diseases
Australia’s aid programme is centred on Asia and the Pacific, where
at least 640 million people live in extreme poverty and at least 2
billion live in poverty. These figures are expected to increase when
the impact of recent food and fuel prices and the global economic
crisis are felt. An avian influenza epidemic could undo years of devel-
opment, weaken economies and even be a trigger for social instability.
Through the Australian aid programme, we help partner countries
to prepare for, prevent and control avian influenza epidemics while
assisting with strengthening national systems for animal and human
health.
Some of our near neighbours are at significant risk of emerging
infectious diseases, particularly Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and
East Timor. These countries face major challenges and constraints
because of weak systems of animal and human health surveillance
and gaps in their capacity to respond to pandemics. Parts of the
Mekong have experienced several outbreaks of avian influenza in
birds since 2003, and there have been human cases and fatalities.
Pacific island countries could be severely affected by a human
influenza pandemic as they were in the Spanish ’flu outbreak of
1918–19. These countries have limited capacity to respond to emerg-
ing disease threats.
Australia’s approach
Australia takes a broad approach in its assistance to combat
pandemics and emerging infectious diseases in the region:
Flexibility
– We are flexible so that we can respond to changing
needs and priorities and even to sources of pandemics other than
avian influenza. Our assistance is provided in ways that will yield
longer-term benefits regardless of whether or when a pandemic
occurs.
Participation
– Our bilateral assistance is guided by partner govern-
ments’ preparedness planning and needs assessments. Our
contribution to regional and multi-donor initiatives helps meet
country needs while reducing duplication.
Partnerships
– AusAID works closely with other Australian
Government departments and agencies such as Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry, Health and Ageing, and the Australian Animal Health
Laboratory. These departments have close links with
equivalent national agencies and other relevant organi-
zations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Policy coherence
– Our assistance for emerging infec-
tious diseases and pandemic preparedness is consistent
with the Australian Government’s broader foreign and
domestic policy approaches and commitments. We
engage in international and regional forums on these
issues, including through the International Partnership
on Avian and Pandemic Influenza and UN agencies.
Regional responses
Australian assistance is delivered through regional and
single country programmes. We fund and support
several major multilateral institutions such as the World
Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE). By funding the placement of epidemiologists into
WHO country offices we help national health authori-
ties to build up skills to detect and respond to human
communicable diseases. Our support for the OIE helps
government veterinary services in the region to meet
international standards.
Population growth, climate change and consequent
ecosystem changes contribute to the emergence of new
diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) and new strains of avian influenza. We need to
improve our understanding of the drivers of these
diseases and to develop effective ways of dealing with
them. AusAID and Canada’s International Development
Research Centre are therefore developing a joint
program to support research into emerging infectious
diseases in the Asia Pacific region.
Australia also works with regional organizations such
as APEC, the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and ASEAN +3 on joint cooperation for
disease control and planning. This includes simulation
exercises and small-scale regional capacity building
activities that provide opportunities to share experiences
and lessons.
The Pacific region has particular challenges relating
to distance and small land size. The Pacific Regional
Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project is imple-
mented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and
WHO, and supported by AusAID and New Zealand Aid.