Emergency relief for livestock-keeping communities during floods

The severe flooding in Kenya at the end of 2006 left over a hundred people dead and displaced thousands. VETAID’s work in Kitui and Tana River Districts aimed to support the flood ravaged and impoverished pastoralists and agro-pastoralists living in these districts.

VETAID was able to assist pastoral and agro-pastoral household in the two districts. In addition, 486,078 treatments and vaccinations against common diseases were carried out on animals in the areas.

Pastoral and agro-pastoral households were more able to maintain productive herds and recommence crop production. The animals which were treated and vaccinated were able to recover from the extreme climatic conditions – the flooding and preceding drought. Their physical condition improved and they were again able to reproduce and could provide draught power for crop cultivation.

Project activities:

• Sheep, cattle, goats, camels and donkeys were treated against common livestock diseases
• Animals were vaccinated against Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in Kitui District and Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) in Tana River
• Cattle were branded with a district-specific brand in Tana River to ease identification, improve traceability and help curb cattle rustling
• The project charged a nominal fee to livestock keepers for vaccination and treatment of their animals. The money collected contributed to the establishment of an emergency livestock health kitty which can be used during future difficult periods.
• Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) were given on-the-job training and provided with a small income in return for their work. The CAHWs participated in community mobilization, publicity, animal handling, community education and deworming of animals.