Unfortunately, just as our piece of emergency work had been conducted in Colombia, record rains have continued to fall, and the situation is now at least as bad as in recent weeks. Many people have lost their lives in mudslides, and, following further assessment, there is a further need to assist animals in three Colombian departments badly hit by rains and mudslides caused by the La Niña phenomenon.
There is a loss of pasture and a lack of food and shelter for a mixture of backyard animals, companion animals (cats and dogs) and a limited number of livestock in the Valle, Atlántico and Sucre areas. These are the same areas where we recently distributed emergency supplies and rescued animals.
Together with Colombian member organisation, APAP, WSPA will be delivering food and providing emergency medical assistance to a total of 1,400 animals. Pedigree has very kindly donated food aid for companion animals.
Colombia’s neighbour, Venezuela, has also been badly hit by the same weather system, resulting in devastating floods . Our local member society is currently conducting an assessment to see if there is a need for us to assist animals there too.
Meanwhile, in the Asian nation of Myanmar, we’ve finished our assessment of the damage caused (and need created) by cyclone Giri, and we’re ready to start work. This month we’ll be vaccinating 10,000 cattle and buffalo in three townships against foot and mouth disease, and providing other veterinary care where needed.
We’re going to work with the Myanmar government as well as our Veterinary Emergency Response Unit (VERU). Staff from WSPA's Bangkok office will be joining us too.
