Summary

AusReady meets an AusAID need for access to a well managed database of experts with policy, programming and technical skills relevant to regional EID prevention and preparedness.

Description

In 2005, the Australian Government announced a package of $100 million over four years (mid-2006 to mid-2010) for initiatives to combat the threat of pandemics and emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in the region. The goal of this assistance, articulated in the Pandemics and Emerging Infectious Diseases Strategy 2006-2010, is to minimise the impact of EIDs, including possible pandemics, on the human health and economic development of the Asia-Pacific region, in line with Australia's national interest. AusReady is funded as part of this commitment.

AusReady was established as a means of accessing EID prevention and preparedness expertise and now includes a database of over 200 Advisors. The Facility is managed by a contractor, ANU Enterprise Pty Ltd (ANUE), in association with the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) at The Australian National University (ANU). AusReady has broken new ground as a model for a managed database and some of the design features of AusReady have been utilised in the design of the Education Resource and the Health Resource Facilities.

AusReady is governed by a Whole-of-Government steering committee involving the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). The responsible area within AusAID is the Asia Transboundary Section which is responsible for the oversight of all programs funded under the Pandemics and EID Strategy.

The Asia Pacific Emerging Infectious Diseases Facility – Mid-Term Review [PDF 279kb]
The Asia Pacific Emerging Infectious Diseases Facility – Mid-Term Review [RTF 711kb]