# 4811
Even as the last pandemic fades away, representatives from dozens of nations, agencies, and NGOs are gathered this week in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to take part in a major pandemic drill that anticipates dealing with a far more virulent pathogen.
The next pandemic may well be years, or even decades away . . . but it could also arrive next week, next month, or next year.
H5N1 continues to simmer in places like Egypt, China, and Indonesia and as `swine flu’ proved last year, other viruses can sometimes emerge with very little warning.
Since the next pandemic may be far more severe than the one we’ve just gone through, it is imperative that nations prepare accordingly.
Here are excerpts from the press release, and a link to a DPA news story on the exercise.
ASEAN – UN – USAID Joint Press Release: ASEAN, UN and USAID Conduct Major International Exercise to Prepare for Severe Pandemic
Phnom Penh, 10 August 2010
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will shortly host a pandemic preparedness and response exercise focusing on managing the impacts of severe pandemics on societies, governments and organisations in the Southeast Asian region. The exercise, which is a first of its kind anywhere in the world, will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 16-20 August 2010. It is expected to attract over 170 high-level participants from governments, UN agencies, international bodies and non-governmental organisations.
The unprecedented event aims to improve the capabilities of ASEAN Member States, both individually and collectively, to prepare for and respond to a severe pandemic with potentially devastating effects on the region. The exercise also sets out to improve multisectoral preparedness and response at the country, regional and global level among the Member States and other international actors.
A severe pandemic could have hugely damaging effects on the Southeast Asia region. While many countries are engaged in meeting such a threat, much of the focus in the past has been on health area preparedness. ASEAN Members States increasingly recognize that non-health sectors can also be gravely affected, impeding a government’s capacity to respond to a pandemic. This thinking has led to the need to come together to identify the gaps in pandemic preparedness, and to strengthen collaboration and coordination among Member States.
From Monsters and Critics a Deutsche Presse-Agentur news story on the start of this exercise, with statements by the UN’s Dr. David Nabarro and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.
ASEAN head says members need to coordinate pandemic response plans
Aug 16, 2010, 11:24 GMT
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