Communication for Control Prevention of Avian Influenza Lessons

Communication for Control & Prevention of Avian Influenza Lessons & Issues Technical Meeting on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 27 – 29 June 2007, Rome

Strategic Role of Communication Provide information Raise awareness Programme Goal Promote priority Engage dialogue behaviours UNICEF AI Communication

Priority Actions for Communication • Advocacy for national communication plans • Capacity building • Community & social mobilization • Behaviour change – Individuals/communities – Targeting specific vulnerable groups • Sensitizing the media/responsible reporting UNICEF AI Communication

Achievements

Achievements § § § National Communication Task Forces based around cross-sectoral partnerships Analysis of feasibility of behaviours Strategy development and implementation plans Mobilization to reach vulnerable groups Mobilization of media & launch of communication campaigns UNICEF AI Communication

Interagency agreement - AI I N D I C A T O R S UNICEF AI Communication

Interagency agreement - PI UNICEF AI Communication

Communication Outcomes (2006 -2007) Total 48 countries. UNICEF supported Countries with Govt. of Japan grant (14) remainder by other funding sources UNICEF AI Communication

Communication Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned § § § Awareness of AI achieved Risk perception of AI low Backyard poultry poses many challenges for promoting certain behaviours Need to engage with other poultry sectors Good local practices exist UNICEF AI Communication Meta-analysis of existing KAP data from 10 countries

Conclusions § § Tremendous creativity unleashed – methods and materials Communication creates a favourable environment Multiplicity of communication approaches; hard to assess impact of specific activities Momentum gained should not be lost UNICEF AI Communication

Issues § § § Advocacy on priority for AI prevention Ongoing dialogue between communication and technical experts Agreement on priority behaviours UNICEF AI Communication