Bird flu is now the greatest health crisis both for humans and birds. It's also the gravest epidemic crisis faced by mankind ever. This not a secret and international media has been saying this for a long time. We can't behind the argument that it will not affect us, that it will cause panic or adversely affect the poultry industries. It's too late for such arguments.

Bangladesh has been in a state of denial and not ready to accept this fact of life and act. However, it seems it has finally woken up to the situation and is planning action bringing the business sector and BRAC together. BRAC is an NGO which is also in the poultry business and has an extensive outreach and network.

Planning is fine but ensuring implementation is everyone's responsibility.

We are brining you the minutes of the decisions of this recent meeting courtesy of BRAC. But as the minutes show, we are very vulnerable because while many countries are already prepared to face any eventuality, we haven't even fully begun. And we don't have adequate facilities and support system including shortage of testing facilities, surveillance systems and reporting mechanisms. The public information system is also inadequate. Ready availability of disinfectants and protective masks is also to be considered.

Along with the steps suggested here, we believe the UN system must go public with the plans and allow public participation and action. It may not be wise to depend on governments and NGOs alone. This is a public crisis and the public must face it. To do so, the public must know as much as they can. And do as much as they can.

FAO and WHO are saying that with public support and awareness, the crisis may be reduced greatly. Instead of fearing to deal with it, we must act. Instead of panic, we must prepare. Instead of ignorance, we must know.

And immediately.

Afsan Chowdhury
November 28, 2005

• More information about bird flu at >>http://flualert.blogspot.com
• Alert posting at >> Drishtipat ; >> UnnayanNews

Afsan Chowdhury:

Afsan Chowdhury, Director of Advocacy and Human Rights, was born in 1954. He has an MA in History from Dhaka University. He has spent two decades working in print media, radio, and television. He was an editor at various newspapers, and Founder Promoter of UNB (National News Agency). He was Contributing Producer for a number of BBC World Service series, and is an author of four novels.

Prior to joining BRAC in 2003, Mr. Chowdhury spent years working in the fields of media advocacy, health rights, communication and social mobilization, AIDS management, gender and protection, child rights, and disaster management. Mr. Chowdhury worked for UNICEF as a media and communications expert, later becoming a freelance consultant and activist in 1994. He is the author of numerous project reports and position papers, and has worked extensively with a host of international NGOs and the Government of Bangladesh. He was nominated Ashoka Fellow for Life on Sex Education in 1998. Mr. Chowdhury was also Regional Director for South Asia of the Panos Institute.