Our recent Disaster Assessment Needs Analysis (DANA) in the Mwingi district in Kenya, one of the many regions in East Africa severely affected by the continued drought, found an urgent need for emergency relief for livestock. Local people depend on their animals for their livelihood, often walking long distances with their livestock in search of water and pasture. The impact on the animals is severe and many succumb during the journey; furthermore, these animals come in contact with other animals at the watering points, which exposes them to transmissible diseases.
Next week, a WSPA team, in partnership with Veterinary Emergency Response Units (VERU) from the University of Nairobi, will travel to three large watering points in Mwingi where hundreds of animals and their owners gather. At these locations, we will be able to assist animals in a coordinated and efficient manner, rapidly targeting the animals in one single location.
At the watering points, the team will ensure that the animals receive the necessary fodder, supplements and veterinary treatment to cope with the debilitating effects of this drought. The emergency operation will benefit some 10,000 cattle, 15,000 goats and sheep as well as 4,000 donkeys, together representing the livelihoods of 4500 households.
