This initiative relies on the strategy of partnership to develop standard operating procedures and protocols for addressing both the health and non-health aspects of a humanitarian response during an influenza (human and/or avian) pandemic. The central thrust of the effort is to build an international network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private- and public-sector providers, United Nations (UN) agencies, and international donors that would be drawn upon to deliver a humanitarian response in the event of a global pandemic. In essence, organisers will assist CORE Group-member NGOs (such as Save the Children, CARE, and World Vision) and in-country partners to develop and test pandemic plans and guidelines, and define roles of CORE Group members and partners for rapid implementation of community pandemic mitigation interventions in conjunction with IFRC, UN agencies, and national governments.

These activities include a communications component to facilitate rapid adoption of prevention and care practices at community and household levels. For example, face-to-face communication - training of "first responders" - is envisioned as a key first step in building the capacity of NGOs to develop the necessary local partnerships for effective action. These activities will focus on workshops - at headquarters, and in each of the selected countries - on the nature of the threat, resources available for NGO/partner response, preparation of pandemic-specific preparedness, and business continuity plans to both facilitate continued delivery of key services and to protect the health and safety of NGO/partner staff and their families.

The effort to share lessons learned from the above-described endeavours will also draw upon interpersonal communication and partnership as strategies. CORE intends to share feedback learned from its country community-based efforts with other global partners. Also, at the country-level, one CORE-member NGO will serve as the lead organisation and will work closely with other member NGOs and local partners to integrate their input into the national process, organise trainings, and coordinate training and strategy testing through member organisation community-based sites. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are also being used to disseminate experiences gleaned from the project; click here to access materials online.

Health, Risk Communication.

According to the CORE Group, international experts predict that more than 95% of the global death toll from a pandemic influenza event would occur in the developing world.