Reported from the field: Carlos Quesada
Close to 8,300 animals in Haiti, and the families who depend on them, were helped by WSPA in this vulnerable Caribbean country, hit by the Isaac Tropical Storm last week.
One-by-one farmers from Bonga and Grand Fond, the two areas most affected by Isaac, came to the WSPA disaster response team with their cows, pigs, horses and sheep, to receive medical treatment and advice for their animals.
“Almost all international non-governmental organizations in Haiti help people, but it’s hard to find one which helps animals. By helping us on the field, WSPA has shown that were all equal on the inside”, said Cherilien Eliancy, Haitian veterinary leader of the community of Grand Fond. The smile on his face reflects the happiness and the hope work like ours has inspired in people.
One of the people in line waiting to receive veterinary care for one of his pigs is Joseph. He relies on his herd of pigs to provide food and education for his wife and nine children.
WSPA was one of the first animal welfare organizations to provide veterinary care to animals that suffered from the devastating earthquake in 2010. We treated more than 70,000 animals in need, helped to repair and re-stock the National Veterinary Laboratory, installed 12 solar powered refrigeration units to store animal vaccinations and promoted pet care and animal welfare education across the country.
“There is no better repayment for our work than to shake hands with grateful Haitian people, knowing they can safely go back to their homes with their animals protected“, said Juan Carlos Murillo, WSPA’s longest serving disaster management veterinary officer.
Our work in Haiti is now but we will stay in touch with our partners on the ground to make sure the animals in Haiti are being looked after.
