In support of the overall programme for control and prevention of avian and human influenza (AHI) under the Green Book, the Partnership on Avian and Human Influenza (PAHI) coordinated the preparation of the Strategic Framework on Communication for Avian and Human Influenza Control and Prevention 2008-2010.
The National Strategic Framework was promulgated by the Government of Viet Nam in July 2008 to coordinate all public awareness and behaviour change communication related to avian and human influenza carried out in the country. It outlines priorities for behaviour change within the animal and health sectors for specific target populations under areas with and without Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been actively involved in contribution to the development and implementation of the Strategic Framework, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and other UN, government and non government partners.
To address the source of risk for HPAI and consolidate gains that have been made to date, it is necessary to strengthen behaviour change communication focused directly on the animal health sector. Engagement of veterinarians, para-veterinarians and other frontline agricultural workers in communication activities, particularly when interacting with farmers during activities like disease surveillance, disease investigation, disinfection, culling and vaccination, is of particular importance.
With this vision, FAO conducted a rapid assessment on the Perception, Capacity and Role of 120 Frontline Workers as Communicators for Animal Health Aspect of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 2007 in four selected provinces – Ha Tay and Lang Son (in the North) and Ben Tre and Dong Thap in the South.
Results of the rapid assessment presented at the International Avian Influenza Research to Policy Workshop in June 2008 concluded that although most para-veterinarians felt that it is their role and responsibility to carry out communication activities, not all of them were confident with their knowledge and experiences. They expressed desire for capacity building in technical areas of HPAI prevention and control as well as development of communication skills.
FAO recognises the importance of the role of national, provincial and local governments and commends the strong political commitment of the government in keeping guard against the spread of HPAI.
FAO is producing a film to reflect Viet Nam’s experience in dealing with HPAI. It features the impact of HPAI on the livelihoods of poultry raisers, the efforts taken to tackle the problem, the contribution from the international community, and the continuing challenges the country faces. The documentary aims to reiterate to policy and decision makers at the provincial and district levels on the importance of their role and action in prevention and control of HPAI at the local level.
FAO acknowledges the importance of the role of the media in rapidly transmitting important information to the general public while at the same time reflecting the voices from the field for effective policy formation. An innovative multi-media communication project towards re-framing the AI communication discourse through centre-staging community voices of those most-affected and at risk of contracting HPAI is launched through FAO Viet Nam’s media fellowship initiative.
Journalists from various disciplines – print media, photo-journalists, radio/video – have been selected to report on the livelihoods of farmers and other stakeholders affected by HPAI in Viet Nam. The aim of this project is to document and build a multi-media database of socio-cultural/socio-economic profiles of people whose lives are directly impacted by HPAI.
FAO continues to support the Government of Viet Nam in generating technically sound communication messages which are practically feasible in enabling the practice of desired behaviours for safe animal husbandry and control of diseases like HPAI