Avian Influenza and the Pandemic Threat

Agencies’ Achievements and Further Course of Action (as per revised log-frame)

7.1 Technology and logistic capacity in the event of a pandemic

72. When the pandemic strikes, countries will need to address and rectify the gaps that will inevitably emerge when activating their pandemic preparedness plans; in particular when ensuring that all populations, including the most vulnerable, have access to basic needs and are supplied with essential commodities. The UN and their partners have to stand ready to assist these countries. UN country teams are at the forefront of addressing 'common services' support, through the development of their country specific plans. WFP stands ready to back up UN country teams in their effort to design and develop such plans; for both continuity of operations and support to national authorities. WFP is currently mandated to provide the lead in Humanitarian Logistics as the logistics arm of the United Nations, providing logistic services and support to other humanitarian organisations. As such WFP, with partners, will need to be able to:

•  Continue to supply its ongoing life-saving operations with food and other requirements;
•  Respond to requests from national governments to provide humanitarian assistance (including for countries in which WFP currently does not have operational presence)
•  Remain available as the Logistics “supplier of last resort” in support of the humanitarian community, in line with the Cluster approach defined by the IASC in September 2005.

73. WFP has already gathered substantial knowledge of logistics networks in all countries that will require intervention and as of today Logistics Capacity Assessments of 62 countries have been carried out. However, the variables that determine the potential logistics capacity of a given geographical region are fluid and complex and require constant updating. During a pandemic, it is anticipated that existing logistics corridors would be disturbed while the need to provide assistance to vulnerable populations would be increased. Likely disruptions of current logistics arrangements could be caused by changes in market chains and a considerable increase in the demand for logistics services in existing humanitarian crises and in those triggered by the impacts of the pandemic. Using the extensive outreach of the IASC logistics cluster system, WFP is conducting consultations with other agencies and organizations to anticipate the volume and scale of logistics services which will be necessary to support humanitarian responses in a pandemic environment. WFP will also survey the private sector entities, especially contracted companies, to find out their intentions to interrupt or maintain operations during the pandemic and will liaise closely with National Disaster Management Centres (NDMCs) and military authorities.

74.  WFP has also developed analytical maps on AHI through collaboration with FAO, WHO and other key partners, and is working on a Logistics Concept of Operations (LOGS CONOPS) which will reflect strategic partnerships, including  with OCHA/PIC and the other agencies participating in the UN System Consolidated Action Plan. WFP is continuing to provide updated GIS products on AHI to the humanitarian community and is managing, on behalf of the IASC, an AHI section on the Humanitarian Early Warning System web (HEWSweb).