GCP/RAP/218/JPN: TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE PAN-AFRICAN RINDERPEST CAMPAIGN, 1987 This project which is financed by the Government of Japan, was started in 1985. The role of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is to provide technical support required to organize rinderpest campaigns in 28 affected African countries in collaboration with the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR) of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). FAO is providing technical assistance to OAU/IBAR by the provision of the PARC epidemiological support unit to advise on the current state of viral activity and how this may influence control strategies. FAO is also providing quality control testing to ensure the availability of highly potent vaccine for use in PARC and is also attempting to improve both the diagnostic and differential diagnostic capacity of national laboratories. FAO is also providing practical advice to vaccine manufacturers. The long-term objective will be to support the activities of OAU/IBAR aimed at the strengthening of veterinary service with a view to controlling and eventual eradication of rinderpest. The control of other infectious diseases is expected to benefit from these activities.