VETAID assists displaced people in Kenya
27 June 2008

VETAID is preparing to carry out a mass vaccination campaign in Kenya in early July 2008.

The campaign will focus on livestock belonging to people living in makeshift camps for internally displaced people (IDPs). These people were forced to flee their homes during the post-election violence at the beginning of this year.

Around 50,000 animals in Molo District in Kenya’s Rift Valley province will be vaccinated against rabies and foot and mouth disease. This will be carried out in collaboration with the government of Kenya and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

The animals are being vaccinated as a result of a VETAID assessment which was carried out from the 16 – 19 June in Molo District. This was one of the areas most affected by the violence and the impact upon livestock numbers and animal health has been huge.

The District Veterinary Officer gave the initial estimates of livestock in Molo District as 142,000 cattle, 100,000 sheep and 50,000 goats. He now estimated the population to be at most, 50% of the initial population. The livestock population had been reduced greatly as animals were stolen, slaughtered or moved (with and without permits).

In addition to the loss of animals, diseases now threaten the remaining livestock population. The upcoming vaccination campaign will help to prevent the further spread of these diseases.

Because displaced families are living in temporary camps, sanitation facilities are few or non-existent. This has led to an increase in the spread of animal diseases. However, due to a lack of resources and staff, the government has been unable to respond fast enough.

Dr Victoria Kyallo, who was part of the VETAID assessment team commented: “The situation on the ground is not very encouraging as the livestock aspect in this area has been neglected and nobody seems to be remembering that most people were dependent on livestock for their livelihood before the skirmishes”.

Some IDPs are still living with their animals in the camps which lack essential care and shelter in addition to space and grazing land. The owners have been unable to access animal feeds because of the disrupted supply, due to road blocks and fuel shortages, and had to share some human food with the animals.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

• Rabies cases are on the rise. This is due to large number of dogs which were left unattended after the post-election violence.
• There was an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in January in Molo District. The government has however not been able to respond fast enough due to lack of resources and staff. At the moment, vaccination is ongoing in Elburgon Division but at a slow pace.
• East Coast Fever (ECF) disease is endemic in this area hence the need to promote tick control facilities. Most communal dips were destroyed and vandalised during the skirmishes.