WSPA - Animals in Disasters Blog

WSPA and New Zealand member societies assess Christchurch need

Following the tragic earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand on 22 February, which has taken at least 75 human lives, WSPA and its local member societies are attempting to assess the situation for animal need.

The main focus is still on search and rescue in the city’s highrise buildings which were the most seriously affected. WSPA’s Asia Pacific team has been in contact with colleagues in the Canterbury SPCA and NAWEM (National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Group) to check if shelters have been affected. We have offered support, though it appears to be still too early to see if it will be needed.

We received the following response from the Canterbury SPCA’s Centre Manager Geoff Sutton on 23 February, “Although it is too soon to have or provide any detail, at the moment we are coping and setting up strategies for what is to come.  Communication failures this time have made that task more difficult and we are not yet in a position to make definitive plans. Most staff have been able to turn up and everything that needs to be done right now is being done.”

“We deeply and sincerely appreciate the calls of concern and offers of assistance and with each hour we will be better placed to assess our needs.  In the meantime, we need time to catch up on what our needs are.”

Meanwhile, there has also been a larger eruption on Mount Bulusan in the Philippines with thousands being evacuated. Our local disaster liason officer is monitoring the situation closely on the ground for any animal need.

Egypt Member Societies rescue equines in economic slump

©The Brooke

Following the recent civil unrest in Egypt, WSPA’s local Member Societies have mobilised support for equines facing starvation after weeks of disruption to the economy.

Whilst Egyptians celebrate triumph over their old regime, the economic disruption arising from weeks of protest has left its toll on its working equines, many employed in tourism, particularly in urban, inland areas.

WSPA has offered our support to our Member Societies on the ground in Egypt, The Brooke and the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends (ESAF), with both coordinating emergency feeding and veterinary care efforts to help at least 2,000 working animals. 

Currently five Brooke mobile teams are in major centres affected by the collapse of tourism and general economic disruption; in Giza, Edfu, Aswan and Luxor. In one day alone, on 17 February, weekly emergency food rations were given to more than 650 animals in the four cities, whilst approximately 600 received veterinary care. In addition, veterinary treatment – including de-worming, wound and hoof care –was made available to more than a thousand horses, donkeys and mules across Egypt.

Both The Brooke and ESAF are appealing for funds to provide enough feed for animals in the coming months until tourists return, as well as volunteers to assist on the ground. 

One Edfu local, Hamada Hussein, a horse owner and father of four said: “This is the first time my horse has eaten nutritional food since the demonstrations began. My horse was starving and not able to work – the Brooke has saved his life and mine too as he is my main source of income.”

 

WSPA monitoring situation in Egypt

Following the recent civil unrest in Egypt, WSPA has been in close contact with member societies and regional counterparts in Egypt to check that there has been no deterioration in the situation of the country’s animals, or impact on them from street disturbances.

One of our member societies with operations in Egypt, The Brooke, dedicated to helping working horses, donkeys and mules in the developing world, reports that its Cairo clinic remains open. Staff there continue to provide treatment for animals requiring emergency care.

“The Brooke is in contact with its main office and clinic in Cairo, and is pleased to confirm all staff in Egypt are safe,” says Dorcas Pratt, Director of International Development at the Brooke. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and once things have calmed down, one of our mobile veterinary teams will resume work in operational areas including Giza.  Our dedicated vets and community animal health teams are continuing to help communities and provide services for animals, where it is practical to do so.

WSPA will continue to keep a close eye on events and, if we do receive reports from NGOs regionally that there will be any need for intervention, then will respond as soon as is possible to do so.

WSPA continues relief work in Sri Lanka

WSPA, together with local member society TAPA, has begun relief work following recent devastating floods in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Following its recent assessment in three of the worst-hit districts, WSPA and TAPA identified a great need for up to $5,000 of veterinary medicines, which are to be given to local veterinary centres. During the assessment period, some emergency medicinal supplies had already been given out.

Although feed was not identifed as a major issue for adult livestock, there is also a need to provide special formula feed for 700 calves which will be distributed as soon as possible.

Another capacity in which WSPA will potentially help is in running a workshop on the future management of livestock in disasters and the recovery period to enable all groups involved in flood relief to be better prepared for future disasters.

WSPA is also offering technical advice on on livestock management to humanitarian agencies working in the country  – essential in the absence of livestock experts within humanitarian NGOs.    

Following the arrival of Cylone Yasi in recenty flood-hit Queensland, Australia, our local member society, RSPCA Queensland, has advised us that, at present, the situation is under control. WSPA will continue to monitor the aftermath of the cyclone for any animal need.