Bird Flu Pandemic Planning for Faith Based and Non-Profit
Organizations
How would a bird flu pandemic affect your faith-based or
non-profit organization? Currently avian influenza has been
mainly in Asia but it is spreading rapidly to other countries.
Worldwide about 165 people have become ill (mainly from close
contact with infected poultry) and about 88 have died. At this
time bird flu is not passed from human to human but scientists
fear it will mutate into a form or mix with normal influenza
viruses that will allow it to pass easily from person to person.
When that happens the chance of a world pandemic will greatly
increase with catastrophic results. It may not happen in the
near future but health experts say it will happen and it is only
a matter of time.
A bird flu pandemic lasting a year could cost the global economy
$800 billion dollars, leave millions around the world ill and
kill anywhere from 5 million to 500 million people world wide.
It would have a huge impact on your organization, your members
and the community you serve.
It is estimated that 30-60% of the work force would be out sick.
People could be housebound under quarantines for months at a
time. Public gatherings such as worship services would be
reduced or eliminated all together to help prevent the spread of
bird flu. How would you continue to serve your members? As with
any organization, you need to be aware of the risks and have a
'worst-case scenario" contingency plan in place before you
actually need it.
Some of the questions you may need to start asking are:
How would you continue to offer services without contributing to
the spread of bird flu? Worship services may need to be reduced
or eliminated for several months. Weekly group meetings
including bible studies, boy scouts, etc. would also need to be
eliminated.
How would you handle a loss of contributions when members are at
home sick and not working? How long could your organization last
without income?
How would you continue to communicate with your members? What
type of communication network between members and staff could
you set up?
How would you handle your community outreach programs, such as
meals on wheels and other programs where you are dealing with
many people? Members of the community, who are elderly, vision
impaired, wheelchair bound and those already homebound, would
need someone to continue checking on them and help them if they
become ill. Members of society who are slipping through the
cracks now may be the hardest hit. The need for services could
become overwhelming.
Members will be undergoing tremendous stress in relation to
illness, loss of work and income, family members illness, being
housebound ("cabin fever"), and death. The services you can
offer may be stretched to the limit.
There could be food and water shortages, utility outages and
social unrest. Members who were not prepared before hand would
need help with their daily needs.
There would be an increase in people dying. How would you handle
the additional services? How would you administer to those dying
at home?
What about key employees? Who can fill in if they are out sick?
Can you call upon additional volunteers? How would a bird flu
pandemic impact your overseas mission work?
What other community services are you offering that may be
affected? Daycare centers along with schools would probably be
closed. You may need to open your doors to shelter the sick or
take care of the homeless. You may need to help your community
with social services that are no longer available.
During a pandemic, everyone's faith, resilience and core beliefs
will be put to the test. Your best defense is to stay informed
and updated, keep your members informed about the bird flu and
by starting to plan now for a possible bird flu pandemic, you
will be in a better position to continue to offer your members
the services they require and the answers they need.