THE Arab Network For Environment and Development (RAED) and the Cairo-based UN Office for Coordination for Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) have held a conference on the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in combating flu pandemic at the local and regional levels. Addressing the conference, OCHA Head Rana Zacconi hailed Egypt's plans in dealing with bird flu (H5N1) and swine flu A/H1N1 and the Governmental efforts in combating and preventing the spread of these infectious diseases. Rana said the NGOs could play a vital role in mobilising and coordinating effective actions in partnership with the authorities concerned to promote preparedness and prevention of avian and swine anfluenza at the regional and local levels. She also called on the NGOs to support efforts of the national governments and the humanitarian community to be prepared to face the influenza pandemic. Meanwhile, Emad Eddin Adli, the RAED Coordinator General, told the gathering that the Arab NGOs should be encouraged to assist national authorities to improve the preparedness of their countries and communities for coping with the flu pandemic. “The civil society groups can also help in drawing up plans for crisis management activities whenever need rises," he added. Mahmoud Fawzi, the head of the Crisis Unit at the Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre, said that the NGOs could be an effective tool in supporting and carrying out crisis and pandemic contingency plans. He added that the NGOs could help the national authorities in drawing up pandemic preparedness and crisis management strategies.
