The biggest need for animal rescue and relief for any ongoing disaster continues to be Colombia’s worst flooding in decades.
After a short break and reassessment of needs, WSPA has returned to the area most affected by the floods around the major northern city of Barranquilla. At the end of 2010, WSPA and its local member organizations assisted about 4,500 livestock and companion animals, yet there remains much further need for relief.
Until now, faced with such an unprecedented disaster, with animals not being taken into account in disaster response plans, leading to their abandonment, or no space for them in emergency shelters. With a state of emergency declared in 28 of 32 regional departments, many thousands of animals, especially poultry and livestock, have perished.
WSPA is striving to ensure this will not occur in the future. Besides embarking on another 12 day intervention to provide food, water, shelter and veterinary care to around 6,000 animals, we are working with local authorities to ensure that any future flooding disaster will see greater planning for animal evacuation and emergency relief.
On the other side of the world, Australia’s worst flooding in recent history, reportedly inundating an area the size of France and Germany combined, has devastated the northern state of Queensland. WSPA immediately offered technical support to authorities but was advised us that, fortunately, there was no need as advance warning allowed animals to be evacuated.
We are also monitoring flooding in Southeastern Brazil and in the eastern Philippines for any need for assistance.
