AU-IBAR and several stakeholders are meeting in Naivasha, Kenya from 6-10 Dec. 2021 to develop the 2nd Pan-African Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) Control and Eradication Program (2022-2027). The Continental Framework will build-in to the Global PPR Strategy.
The coordination meeting is being held under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) Africa umbrella; that comprises GF-TADs Africa Steering Committee members: AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, FAO and OIE, with the overall objective to develop a draft outline, modalities and a roadmap for the development and implementation of the 2nd phase of the Pan-African PPR programme.
The specific objectives of the meeting are to:
• Share information and updates on the implementation of the pan-African PPR control and eradication strategy and Program as well as the global PPR Strategy and program;
• Consolidate the key resolutions and recommendations of the regional consultative meetings for western, central, northern, southern and eastern Africa.
• Develop a draft outline for the pan-African PPR control and Eradication program 2022-2027;
• Agree on modalities for development of the programme
• Agree on a roadmap for its development and validation
• Examine options and propose strategies for the Joint mobilisation of resources for the effective implementation of the pan-African PPR program;
• Develop a road map for the development of PPR control and eradication investment plan
The five-day meeting comprises five sessions, notably: session one: the opening session; Session 2: Update on PPR Control initiatives; Session 3: Development of the Africa PPR Programme; Session 4: Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Research and Expertise Network; and Session 5: Development of the Africa PPR Programme.
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly infectious and devastating disease of goats and sheep. The disease has significant impact on food and nutrition security, livelihoods and national economies. Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, AU-IBAR’s Acting Director Dr. Nick Nwankpa noted that PPR is a trans-boundary disease that is now endemic in nearly the whole of Africa, therefore its control and eradication requires a phased, risk-based approach with well-coordinated and harmonised activities across all regions.
In a bid to control and eradicate the disease, since the onset of the global eradication of Rinderpest in 2011, the AUC through its specialized technical institutions namely AU-IBAR and AU-PANVAC has been a consistent and committed advocate for the global eradication of PPR. In a bid to control and eradicate the disease here in Africa, AU-IBAR and AU-PANVAC first led the formulation of a Pan-African Strategy for the control and eradication of PPR and the Control of other priority diseases of small ruminants in Africa in 2009. The strategy was latter aligned to the Global PPR Control and Eradication Strategy after its launch in April 2015. The 2015 Pan African Strategy was developed in close collaboration with AU Members States and RECs as well as technical partners (FAO and OIE) in 2015. The strategy describes the improvement of veterinary services as a synergistic and complimentary action to the control and eradication of PPR, while providing countries with the option to simultaneously control other priority small ruminant diseases (SRDs).
A 5-year implementation programme (2017-2021) was developed to operationalize the Strategy. Both the pan African PPR eradication strategy and the control programme were aligned with the global PPR control and eradication strategy and programme respectively.
Above from Left to Right: Dr. Sam Okuthe (FAO); Dr. Nick Nwankpa (AU-IBAR) & Dr. Samuel Wakhusama (OIE)
Speaking earlier during the opening of the workshop, Dr. Nwankpa reminded the meeting that the target date for the Global eradication of PPR remains 2030. He noted that: ‘’We therefore have about 9 years to achieve this objective. It is therefore crucial to assess the progress made towards the implementation of the first 5-year programme to guide and inform the development of the next 5-year implementation programme.’’
Dr. Samuel Wakhusama, who spoke on behalf of Dr. Karim Tounkar, OIE noted that the meeting is of outmost importance as it is drawing on recommendations from all five regions. He further assured the meeting that all OIE tools and reference laboratories are available for further use in the control and eradication of PPR on the continent.
Speaking on behalf Dr. Charles Bebay, FAO, Dr. Sam Okuthe acknowledged the participation of the PPR Secretariat that is leading in the control and eradication of PPR. He also noted the importance in the control and eradiation of PPR for livelihoods and nutrition by coming up with efficient agro-systems. He also recommended the need to opt-in the private sector as the program continues work with member states, particularly due to the need to mobilise resources towards this initiative. Framework to build-in to the global PPR Strategy. Resource mobilization is important. Acknowledged the contribution of donors and other partners.
The meeting is being attended by 25 people from AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, FAO/OIE PPR Secretariat, GF-TADs Africa, OIE Regional Office for Africa and FAO regional Office for Africa.
See workshop programme. https://bit.ly/3GftQsN
Listen to Dr. Henry Wamwayi talk about PPR and AU-IBAR’s involvement in PPR control and eradication. https://networks.au-ibar.org/show/au-ibar/post/45
Access PPR documents on AU-IBAR Repository: http://repository.au-ibar.org/
