VETAID begins mass vaccination campaign in Somaliland
28 May 2008

Following huge livestock losses earlier this year in western Somaliland, VETAID has begun work to vaccinate the weakened animals that remain.

In January 2008, Awdal region in western Somaliland, on the border of Djibouti, received rains accompanied by extreme cold weather. The rains caused massive deaths of livestock, a situation that was compounded by the animals’ poor body condition due to below normal seasonal rains.

The livestock population in Awdal region had increased over the past 3 years. However, following the below normal seasonal rains at the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008, the amount of animal fodder available was greatly reduced.

The lack of animal feed led to the livestock becoming weak and therefore unable to cope with the harsh weather conditions. The animals also subsequently became more susceptible to disease.

The few areas of the region that received better rains became overpopulated with animals that had been brought there by their owners. With so many animals within just a few districts of the region, livestock diseases spread rapidly.

An estimated 55-66% of livestock were lost to the rains. Animal diseases, particularly Peste des Petite Ruminants (PPR) and Contagious Caprine Pleuro Pneumonia (CCPP) are currently a major threat in the area. If left uncontrolled, there is a possibility of these deadly diseases spreading to new areas.

The most affected communities rely solely on livestock – mainly goats and sheep - for their food and income. Their animals provide meat and milk directly, and can be sold to buy goods such as rice, sorghum, wheat flour, sugar and cooking oil.

Due to the cold rains and the resultant livestock deaths, more than 2,000 families in the area have been driven to complete destitution. As well as losing their main source of food, people are unable to sell their surviving livestock as they are in such poor condition.

In addition, the animals are producing much less milk which means that children in these communities have little or no dairy products in their diets. This situation has been worsened by a 58% increase in the prices of basic food items.

The campaign which VETAID is running over the next three months will vaccinate and treat around 300,000 sheep and goats. This will prevent the spread of diseases which are threatening the livelihoods of sheep and goat producers in Awdal region and neighbouring regions of Somaliland.

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview with VETAID staff in Somaliland, please contact Gail Wilson on 0131 445 6231 or gail@vetaid.org.