Heavy flooding following Tropical Storm Haima has affected half of the districts in Vietnam’s Nghe An Province, killing at least 3,500 livestock. In response, a team from WSPA’s Asia Pacific office, located in Bangkok, travelled to the area to assess immediate and longer term needs in the aftermath.
Our Disaster Assessment Needs Analysis (DANA) found that surviving animals were at risk from diseases such as foot and mouth disease and hog cholera, as well as being in need of feed. As a result, around 1,700 pigs are being provided with food supplies for around two months, while veterinary care is being administered according to local need. WSPA is also providing protective sheeting for cattle shelters which were damaged by the flooding.
Our ongoing efforts in Argentina in response to volcanic ash fallout from Chile’s Puyehue volcano have now been significantly extended. A further 80,000 livestock will now benefit from food distribution in the province of Rio Negro, bringing the total of animals assisted in the region to approximately 120,000 livestock and 400 companion animals. This extension of WSPA’s work means that 100% of the affected animals in the department of Pilcaliyeu will now receive feed.
In India’s state of West Bengal, we are undertaking further emergency relief efforts, as well as preparedness work, following our DANA in response to recent flooding. To date, six temporary ‘veterinary health camps’ have provided care, including de-wormer and minerals, to 3,578 animals, owned by 720 households in rural areas.
Protective sheeting has also been given to 500 households dependent on livestock, due to shelters being damaged by the flooding. Additionally, feeding operations continue: over the coming weeks more than 8,700 cattle in 27 villages will receive deliveries of feed.
A Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) from WSPA India has been preparing vulnerable communities in Veterinary Disaster Management in order to cope with events like flooding in the future. Animal owners are to receive training, in collaboration with local agencies.
