The Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s multi-disciplinary task force is
now assessing the impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) in Asia and the Pacific, the bank announced on Monday.
The task force has developed options to help its developing members
through grants and concessional loans to curb SARS, in partnership
with the World Health Organization (WHO) and others, ADB said in
its press statement.
ADB is studying the impact of SARS on the region's economies and on
its own operations, with a particular focus on the economic, social
and psychological impacts on the populations of the countries most
affected by the disease.
SARS negatively affects many economic sectors such as tourism,
transportation, retailing, health, and education, a particular
burden on the poor, the bank stressed.
ADB has developed an action plan with a set of potential responses
to assist its developing members to prevent, mitigate, and
alleviate the consequences.
Among others, ADB will examine the preparedness of its developing
members in addressing SARS-related issues, and initiate discussions
with the countries to identify any need to put in place emergency
procedures to control spread of the disease.
The bank will also work with their counterparts at the WHO to
prepare a memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperation in
checking the spread of SARS and, possibly, other emerging
infections as well.
ADB is considering the provision of grant-funded technical
assistance (TA) on a country-specific and regional basis. The TA
will be available to key partners such as ministries of health,
local health authorities, non-government organizations, and
regional agencies.
ADB President Tadao Chino has also written to leaders of
SARS-affected economies to convey concern, express ADB support for
their initiatives to contain the spread of SARS, and to advise them
of the task force.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2003)