Abu Dhabi: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, has approved a study on developing a strategic plan for crisis management, according to Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD).
"The UAE must have a comprehensive plan for management of all types of crises," Al Mansouri said in a statement yesterday following the inauguration of an exhibition organised by EAD to mark World Water Day.
He added that a consultant has already been selected to conduct the study. Al Mansouri said preparations were underway to stage a series of drills to contain a possible outbreak of bird flu.
The drills are being coordinated by members of a task force which has representatives from the armed forces, interior ministry, municipalities, general authority for health services, ministry of health and ministry of environment and water.
The hotline created to receive public inquiries about bird flu has received more than 16,000 calls, an indication, said Al Mansouri, of rising awareness among the public about the perils of this disease.
On the situation regarding water resources, Al Mansouri said a study on Abu Dhabi's underground water resources was recently conducted.
WHO help sought to unify global efforts
The UAE has called for a global programme led by the World Health Organisation to combat and contain the spread of avian flu virus.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Committee for Emergency Response to Bird Flu, made the call in an editorial in the latest issue of Al Saggar monthly magazine of Emirates Falconers Club under his capacity as the club Chairman. Shaikh Hamdan said: "The world should work together to combat the threat of this virus and actions should go beyond sympathy, conferences and daily news."
"The issue should be taken up in a worldwide programme led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) under the patronage of the United Nations. A forum of effective international forces with the participation of the pioneering organisations and establishments specialised in disease prevention, care and treatment is the need of the hour. We might also need to create task forces of experts, scientists, researchers and administrators who have the back-up, the will, and the motivation to save mankind from an imminent danger."
The minister said the world is facing a highly aggressive and mutating bird flu virus, which might be disastrous if transferred between humans. "No one can be away from the threat of this virus because it is highly infectious and dangerous and moves with migrating birds, people and goods."
- Nissar Hoath, Staff Reporter
