IICA and Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)
Strategic alliance for human development and prosperity in rural communities
www.paho.org

Stronger ties with PAHO have enabled the Institute to promote joint activities with that organization in matters that are the responsibility of both authorities that govern agricultural development and those that govern the health sector.   In June 2002, IICA and PAHO adopted a Joint Plan of Action covering four areas of cooperation: public health and animal health (zoonosis and food safety); significant contributions to the Summits process; exchanges related to planning, monitoring and evaluation; and exchange of information and experiences. At the hemispheric level, smooth working relations and effective channels of consultation have been established between IICA’s Directorate of Agricultural Health and Food Safety and the PAHO authorities.

The joint activities have focused on a shared concern that is a high priority for the countries of the Americas:  food safety.  The two organizations have cooperated in various aspects of this new, multifaceted issue in Argentina, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.  For example, they collaborated in the design of national food safety programs, the review of legislation on the subject, and the creation of national food safety committees and the structuring of their work plans.  IICA and PAHO also worked together on issues such as sanitary emergencies and zoonoses, and supported rural communities.

To improve public health and promote actions aimed at enhancing animal and plant health programs in the Member States, as part of the ‘working together’ strategy, PAHO made a significant contribution to the organization and implementation of the Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Rural Life.  PAHO and IICA are members of the group of organizations working with the 34 Member States to enhance the capabilities for dealing with the threat of avian influenza in the region.