Closer cooperation between nations, governments and organisations as well as citizens is essential if the world is to combat epidemics, natural disasters and calamities, said a representative of Vietnam ’s Red Cross Society (VRC).

Addressing the “Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness Regional Workshop” that opened in Hanoi on Sept. 14, VRC President Tran Ngoc Tang said that in the fight against A/H5N1 and A/H1N1, the association has worked with all the relevant agencies to launch communication campaigns in support of disease prevention efforts and work with other countries to stop the cross border transmission of diseases.

Nearly 150 delegates are attending the three-day meeting, jointly held by VRC and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to discuss measures on how to increase collaboration between nations, governmental agencies, red cross societies, international organisations and civil societies to raise the effectiveness of responses to epidemics in humans in Southeast Asia.

The participants will share their experiences in drawing up and implementing action plans to prevent pandemics, which will help to minimise the number of infections and fatalities amongst the region’s countries.

The information shared at the workshop will also assist with the preparations for the global Inter-Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza that Vietnam will host in six months.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Chi Liem affirmed that the Vietnamese government considers fighting and preventing pandemics one of its top priorities, which is why the country successfully brings diseases and viruses such as SARS and A/H5N1 influenza under control.

During the workshop, the Deputy Minister called for more support from the international community to prevent pandemics in poorer countries.

Vietnam is willing to share its experiences with other countries in this field, he promised.

As a representative of the co-organiser USAID, the US Ambassador to Vietnam , Michael Michalak, praised Vietnam ’s response to past pandemics, especially bird flu and pledged to continue to provide support so the country can remain prepared./.