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The Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) is responsible for coordinating the control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Southeast Asia. Cooperating countries include Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The RCU delivers programs as agreed by the OIE Sub-Commission for FMD control in Southeast Asia. Activities include working with national animal health authorities on strengthening FMD control, collaborating with other international agencies involved in animal health activities in the region and organising meetings and workshops.
One of the key elements in the Strategy to develop a regional approach to FMD control was to establish the Regional Coordination Unit. This activity commenced in September 1997 with the appointment of a Regional Coordinator and the establishment of an office in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kasetsart University, Bangkok. In August 2003, the RCU was transferred to the Department of Livestock Development, 69/1 Phaya Thai Road, Bangkok.
At present the RCU has three staff: Dr Ronello Abila (Regional Coordinator), Dr. Stephan Foreman (Technical Assistant on Disease Surveillance) and Ms Chutikarn Dhebhasit (part-time Secretarial Assistant) and assisted by a volunteer from Australia Ms. Nichola Hungerford, (Communication Officer). Direct financial support for the operation of the RCU is provided through an OIE trust fund by the Australian and New Zealand Government’s, and in-kind support is provided by the Government of Thailand. The Regional Coordinator is also Secretary of the SEAFMD Sub-Commission.
Dr. Ronello C. Abila, Regional Coordinator, OIE SEAFMD programme
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