The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking $7.5 million to roll out a critically needed emergency livestock vaccination campaign in South Sudan[1]. FAO aims to protect nearly 9 million animals (30 percent of the country's livestock) - scaling up from 6 million in 2017 - to combat increasingly frequent outbreaks of animal diseases. To date, FAO has only a quarter of the funds it needs ($2.5 million out of $10 million).
Keeping animals alive and healthy is vital in a country where most of the population relies on livestock for their very survival, and half of the population is grappling with acute hunger. "In most parts of the country, FAO and its partners are the main provider of vaccinations. We are trying to reach as many animals as possible now. If we wait for two more months, the rains will start taking over; half of the country will soon be completely cut off or extremely difficult to access, and a huge number of animals risk being trapped in an impossible situation," said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.
"We vaccinated 300,000 animals so far against prevalent diseases such as black quarter, haemorrhagic septicaemia and anthrax, in Aweil state, in the north-west of the country. Famers there told us that their cattle have been sick for months, and we reached them just in time to check the situation, provide necessary heath care and start vaccinations to protect their livestock against major diseases. Yet, unless more funds come in, we are unable to reach other farmers facing the same fears - losing their livelihoods," added Tissot.
"When my animal got sick, I used some herbs from the bush because there are no drugs in this area. But this didn't help. The animal lost weight and its coat doesn't look ok. Now it has stopped eating. I'm afraid it will soon die," said Kiir Mawein, a cattle keeper from Aweil. People in rural areas are forced to feed herbs to their sick animals or to go into the nearest town - often a trip of several days on foot - only to find out that there are no veterinary drugs, or that they are too expensive.
The $7.5 million that FAO still requires would not only cover vaccination costs but would also build three new cold chain hubs in remote areas. This would help to address some major setbacks when it comes to delivering animal health care services and medicines in South Sudan: distance, hot climate (average temperature is 30°C, up to 45°C during the hottest months), lack of infrastructure and health services.
"For people in South Sudan, cattle means life. They "chase away hunger", as farmers put it. They don't only provide an important source of nutritious food, but also act as a safety net; when faced with an emergency, farmers can turn to selling one of their animals to cover other urgent needs," added Tissot.
To build resilience and ensure a better delivery of animal health care services, FAO has set up a network of community-based animal health workers. To date, 1,000 community-based animal health workers have been trained and are carrying-out routine check-ups and vaccinating livestock as part of FAO's Emergency Livestock Response Programme.
Supporting a sustainable community-based animal health workers' system has significantly contributed to delivering adequate animal health care as well as preventive and emergency vaccination campaigns. In 2018, FAO aims to train an additional 1,000 community-based animal health workers to spread the reach of veterinary services. FAO also continues to work with women groups to reinforce small-scale businesses - supplying and selling animal products like milk and other milk products.
FAO's work in South Sudan is possible thanks to support from: USA, European Union, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Norway, World Bank, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Sudan Humanitarian Fund and Kuwait.
References
- ^ South Sudan (www.fao.org)
Newer articles:
- South Sudan Remains on Bottom of World Freedom Index - 24/01/2018 11:49
- UNICEF: Condition of Millions of Children in South Sudan Worsening - 23/01/2018 20:56
- South Sudan: A Year On, Two Men’s Whereabouts Unknown - 23/01/2018 20:05
- To gain access in South Sudan, humanitarians walk a political tightrope - 23/01/2018 11:34
- UN returns to rebel-held South Sudan with new 'nimble' strategy - 23/01/2018 09:12
Older news items
- Urgent livestock vaccination campaign in South Sudan in jeopardy without more support - 23/01/2018 02:49
- South Sudan: Kiir updates Zuma and Ramaphosa on peace process - 22/01/2018 22:49
- South Sudan Church gets new Archbishop - 22/01/2018 18:01
- South Sudan Commission Demands Parties Comply With Ceasefire - 22/01/2018 12:54
- Govt working to secure release of pilots detained in South Sudan - 22/01/2018 08:46
Latest news items (all categories):
- رسالة مفتوحة إلى مدام لميس الحديدى - 01/11/2024 17:50
- Policy actions to strengthen Public Finance Management in South Sudan - 01/11/2024 15:30
- WFP Calls for Cash to Frontload South Sudan Operations Amid Warnings of Rising Hunger - 01/11/2024 15:26
- DTM South Sudan: Biometric Registration and Cash Assistance - Raja Town (October 2024) - 01/11/2024 15:23
- Urgent Call for Government Regulation of Land in the Capital Juba and other areas in South Sudan to Prevent Community Hatred - 01/11/2024 14:52
Random articles (all categories):
- Sudan, South Sudan agree on metering to avoid disputes - Chicago Tribune - 29/09/2012 12:17
- South Sudan traders hope talks open border with old foe Sudan - Bayoubuzz - 24/09/2012 09:07
- South Sudan: Pregnant and Homeless - South Sudan's Women Refugees - 02/10/2016 12:20
- S. Sudan asked to improve human rights record ahead of vote - 10/11/2013 04:10
- S. Sudan denies idea of famine as kids die But government denies onset as mothers mourn children - 25/12/2020 09:45
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 55120 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22160 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21281 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18721 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 17506 times