Cost could exceed RM6b
 NST, 19 Jan 2006

BEIJING, Wed. --- The UN and the World ank told international donors today they must prepare for a potential flu pandemic that could kill millions worldwide and result in economic costs far greater than the US$1.5 billion (RM5.6 billion) now needed.

“The decisions you make today will shape the ways we work together. There’s no time to waste. Let’s ensure that we are ready”, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a taped address on the second day of a funding conference in Beijing.

The urgency of the situation, underlined by the spread of bird flu from Asia to Europe, has spurred many countries into increasing their original commitments.

Sources from international agencies at the conference said that commitments delivered informally so far exceed US$1.7 billion --- more than the US$1.5 billion originally expected. They spoke on condition they not be named because the pledges had not yet been announced. --- AP.