Bird flu: World Bank to transfer aid to PA
Upon Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's request, World Bank to transfer Palestinian Authority USD 2 million to help contaminate deadly virus
Livni has asked Wolfowitz to give incentives to the Palestinian farmers to exterminate the infected birds immediately, in wake of concerns that in lack of international intervention, the required procedures will not take place in the Palestinian Authority.
The foreign minister has also spoken with the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, and requested the organization help in eliminating the virus in the PA. Following their conversation, Annan stated he will direct the World Health Organization and The Agriculture and Food Organization to reinforce the aid teams operating in the PA, in a bid to boost efforts to fight the virus' spread.
The bird flu was discovered in the PA in the middle of this week, and consequently Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has instructed all the professional offices working opposite the PA to lend all the assistance required in order to contaminate the virus' outbreak.
According to Olmert's instructions, all ministries working in cooperation with the PA, including the Health and Agriculture Ministries, will provide the Palestinian with all necessary assistance, including protection gear and instruction materials.
Jordan: Virus threatens to spread
Agriculture Minister Zeev Boim spoke Friday with his Jordanian counterpart after the bird flu was identified in the neighboring kingdom as well. Boim offered Jordan the Agriculture Ministry's assistance and emphasized the need for a regional cooperation in order to fight the virus.
The Jordanian minister noted in the conversation that his country has been following the Israeli Ministry's activities and that it would be happy to receive further updates and assistance. On Monday, officials from both countries are set to meet and discuss the situation. The two ministers may also hold a meeting at that time.
