"The grant from the United States government that will be provided through the UN Food and Agriculture Agency (FAO) is to help Bali get rid of rabies," he added.
Sumantra explained, to ensure that funds provided could be best utilized, the US Government, represented by Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Kerri-Ann Jones will visit Gulingan village, in Badung district on Friday (July 22).
The visit is to ascertain and observe the USAID assistance program in the prevention of rabies.
In addition to visiting, they will also meet and discuss with the village leaders as well as announcing the aid.
"The assistance will be managed by themselves, it may take the form of training or any others that we do not know yet,"Sumantra explained.
According to him, the funds are certainly used to support the implementation of mass vaccination in the international tourist destination.
"The funding will support any efforts to prevent the transmission of rabies by dogs," he said.
In addition, the funds are also used to improve laboratory capacity, strengthen supervision and help the local administration in order to control rabies on the island, Sumantra noted.
The visit will also be made by representatives of FAO, USAID and Director General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health.
(T.KR-LWA/HAJM/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
