AI.COMM - Avian and Pandemic Influenza Resource Link

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B FINAL REPORT
In the area of research, AI.COMM examined community-level knowledge of infl uenza in
Ethiopia, Nepal and Bangladesh in the hopes of identifying behaviors during emergencies
that may apply to an infl uenza pandemic. Separately, AI.COMM coordinated with local
resources in Ethiopia to conduct research dissemination and message harmonization
workshops with local partners and developing pandemic outbreak materials. AI.COMM
participated in H2P country visit assessments in Rwanda and Mali to determine what
type of technical assistance would be needed. In addition, AI.COMM worked with communication
partners and country stakeholders in Nepal to develop and advocacy and
communication plan.
In the food security area, AI.COMM and partner organizations developed a food security
working document, and launched a Food Security Online Portal for sharing working
documents and other information related to pandemic-related food security issues.
AI.COMM coordinated a meeting in Rome with the World Food Programme to gain
technical assistance, and also tapped into the expertise of the USAID-funded FANTA
(Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance) Project to help coordinate a Food for Peace
meeting and pandemic guidance for U.S. Title II Food Aid Programs. The Food Security
Online Portal eventually became the H2P wide partners’ portal, which allowed for better
information exchange and coordination among partners.