WSPA - Animals in Disasters Blog

Update: Disaster Response Team in Soloman Islands

Over the past few days we have been working our way through the villages of the remote Santa Cruz Islands, which lie about 400 kilometres southeast of the Solomon chain. There are many devastated villages on both the western and southern coastlines. In one of the worst hit, Nea, on the south side of the islands, there are flattened houses everywhere – one was even lifted by the wave and carried into the middle of a road!

We have learned that as the villagers evacuated they attempted to release their livestock, which is a common practice here and gives the animals a fighting chance of escaping the water. The only trouble now is that most people cannot find their frightened pigs, which have run off into the bushes and hills. This is making our job of locating and treating injured animals quite challenging. On the positive side, the large majority of animals that we have seen that have managed to survive, all appear healthy.

We will be continuing our work in the days ahead to identify animals that need our help. We are also in contact with several aid organisations and have asked them to report any animals that require veterinary care due to illness, injury and dehydration.

UPDATE: Disaster Response Team in Solomon Islands

We arrived in Honiara the capital of Solomon Islands and have confirmed we’ll be on the ground in Santa Cruz tomorrow. 

Today, we met with government departments including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to plan out how we can work alongside them and complement the ongoing relief efforts in Temotu Province where Santa Cruz Island is located. A director at the Ministry said they were “very happy to have the extra hands to help.”

The Solomon Islands Government officially declared a State of Disaster for Santa Cruz Islands today. Reports from the remote islands are incomplete, so we still don’t know the scale of the impact the earthquake, tsunami and numerous large aftershocks have had on the local animal population. Little is known about the overall animal numbers as the last census was conducted in the 1970s. We anticipate that we’ll mostly find pigs, chickens and dogs as the main animals affected.

Local media reports indicate thousands have evacuated villages along the coasts and that the intensity of the aftershocks  - some measuring over 7.0 is preventing villagers from returning home or even collecting what they need to bring to emergency evacuation centres.

For Solomon Islands media, this is the top story and the radio stations and newspapers were eager to talk to us about our work here. Each of the reporters I spoke to readily understood that protecting animals helps whole communities and were very keen to get the word out that help has arrived for the animals of Solomon Islands.

 

 

 

 

                               Speaking to local radio station PAOA FM about WSPA's disaster response in Solomon Islands

 

 

 

 

Earthquake in Solomon Islands

Following the 8.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Solomon Islands on Wednesday, WSPA has deployed a Disaster Response Team to determine the impact of the disaster on the animal community and what type of response is required.

Continued aftershocks (more than 23 in total) exceeding 5.0 magnitude are worsening the situation and hampering current relief efforts. Preliminary reports indicate at least four villages have been hit, at least 50 homes destroyed, six deaths, and several people missing. Animal fatalities have been discovered amongst the tsunami debris and it is thought that hundreds of animals have been left injured or stray with virtually no access to veterinary care, food or water supplies.

WSPA is accompanied by Ritchie Dawson, chief inspector at the Wellington, New Zealand SPCA and is working closely with the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office.

Keep checking the blog for further updates from the field.

 

Nicaragua update: Day 1

Only 24 hours after arriving in Nicaragua, WSPA's Disaster Response Team has been able to assist 1,219 animals across two sites. Working with local community leaders in Las Grecias and the Oriental Comarcas, the veterinary team has treated the sick and injured animals with various medications including:

• Deworming medicine
• Antibiotics
• Multivitamins
• Wounds cleaned and treated with topical spray and antiseptic
• Respiratory and allergic treatments

Tomorrow the team will be joined by local partner A.MER.TE before heading off, in two groups, to the remaining communities to distribute fodder and treat the affected animals.

Keep checking the blog for more updates to follow.

Hundreds evacuated from skirts of Nicaragua's highest volcano

The plume of ash and smoke stretches miles into the atmosphere 
The eruption of the San Cristobal volcano on Wednesday December 26^th, 2012 caused the Nicaraguan authorities to order the evacuation of several hundred people living near it –most of them famers.

Officials declared an amber alert for five sq. km (two sq. miles) around the volcano, which began spewing ash and gas two and a half miles into the sky. The plume affected the eastern communities located within the 10 miles from the crater. Most of these communities suffered ash rain fall affecting not only the animal fodder availability, but damaging their seasonal crops, especially peanut and sorghum- an an important world crop, used for food.

The 1,745-metre volcano (5,700-foot) is the highest mountain in Nicaragua and one of the most active along the Pacific Coast. It is located about 135 km north-west of Managua and last erupted in September covering farm lands and pastures with volcanic debris; creating a lack of food, water and grazing land.

 
Livestock in the aftermath of the eruption 

The Nicaraguan army has sent rescue teams to the area and the First Lady and government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo has urged families to follow evacuation routes as a precaution as the ash rains down.

Communities are suffering from mild throat and lip irritation and skin burns- especially on their feet and arms- due to the toxic nature of the gases. Their animals are suffering from mild starvation and respiratory problems, plus lack of water and pastures.

A local farmer with his working horse

The repercussion of volcanic ash on humans is terrible, but for animals the situation can be so much worse. Settling volcanic debris creates a cement-like mud, sticking to grass and agriculture lands. Because it is toxic and glass-like, if ingested by animals it can cause huge digestive and intestinal problems as well as grinding down their teeth. 

The estimated number of affected families is approximately 1180, but could potentially reach up to 20,000 people. Local authorities have reported the following animals being present in the affected area:

• 2000 cattle
• 200 pigs
• 150 horses
• 3000 poultry

They also describe an estimated 150-400 companion animals being left behind after people were evacuated.  Horses though, are a main area of concern for the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA), as they are used as a tool of work for farmers.  If we do not intervene the number of causalities due to injury or ailment could have lasting effects on livelihoods.

 WSPA’s disaster management veterinary officer, Sergio Vasquez on the ground near the volcano

 The WSPA Disaster response team are assessing the situation to see if they can intervene and provide useful support for animals on the ground, if so, we hope to:

-          Provide emergency feed and water to pets and farm animals

-          Create radio spots with tips on preparedness for future ash-falls

-          Provide assessment to Nicaraguan government with recommendations on how to cope with continued volcanic activity

-          Have a veterinary team on standby

 

All images are © WSPA/Tomas Stargardter

Strongest tropical storm hits southern Philippines

On 4^th December 2012, one of the most powerful cyclones Philippines have ever seen hit the southern
island of Mindanao. The tropical storm ‘Bopha’ caused strong winds of 220km/hr causing destruction of infrastructure, and agriculture – leading to a shortage of food, clean water and shelter.

An overwhelming number have been affected. 45,000 families (an estimated 213,500 people) are reeling from the devastation, with the cities of Cateel and Davao Oriental being victim. The people of the Philippines have lost their most personal possessions, news reports suggest the official death toll has risen to nearly 600 people and approximately 1000 people are still missing. 

The hardest hit by this natural disaster are the poor, many of these victims have lost their homes and are staying in evacuation centres. Due to the intense flash flooding, heavy rains and landslides, the animal’s habitats and food sources have been destroyed, leaving both humans and animals in dire straits.

Some families are taking their animals with them to the evacuation centres, as community pets and livestock have to be kept close for the future wellbeing of both families and animals.

The Philippines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) are currently responding to the situation in the worst hit regions of Cateel and Compostela Valley in Mindanao. WSPA has provided PAWS with the relevant training and is on stand-by to provide any additional support.

 

Heavy rainstorms add more misery to struggling Haiti

When Hurricane Sandy thrashed Haiti last month, 54 people were killed and thousands of Haitians were left homeless, adding more misery to a country still struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake that killed 200,000 people in 2010.

Then, just two weeks after Sandy, severe flooding swept across the North East, North West, and Ouest Nippes regions, punishing the impoverished nation once again.

On Wednesday 21^st November, a WSPA response team deployed to two rural communities outside of Cap Haitian, Haiti’s second largest city.

These areas are home to cattle, pigs, poultry and donkeys, as well as companion animals like cats and dogs. Animals in disaster-affected areas like this are often vulnerable to parasitic diseases and bacterial infections, and tend to suffer from lack of nutrition.

A heavy work load awaited the response team at the first community, where more than 250 animals received vitamins, rabies vaccinations, anthrax vaccinations, deworming, and had wounds
and infections treated to.

The WSPA team were able to provide medication to local veterinary health groups (GBS) in order to successfully reach and assist animals in 10 other communities nearby, where over the next few days, they have committed to helping over 10,000 animals.

WSPA’s disaster management veterinaryofficer, Sergio Vasquez, talks about the works the response team carries out in Haiti.

 

Click here to see a selection of images from the assessment.

Or take a look at this 360 shot of the Baudin community the response team visited.

Preparing Human and Animal Communities for Disasters

Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, severe temperature swings: so often natural disasters surprise us. Depending on how severe and the conditions of the place they strike, they can overwhelm communities – leaving chaos and destruction in their wake.

Is there any way you can prepare for a natural disaster? As daunting as that sounds, what can we do to plan for our pets? How can a rural farmer account for the needs of livestock when a disaster strikes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       Participants in the simulated flood exercise.

It was with these questions in mind that WSPA came together with about 500 villagers in Bihar State, India and representatives from various government agencies and the Indian military to conduct an emergency simulation or drill on November 8. 

                                                      

Hansen Thambi Prem, WSPA India’s Diaster Project Manager discusses the exercise with a member of India’s National Army.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WSPA India’s Dr. Ashish Sutar speaks with villagers about how best to prepare their animals for disasters.

Simulating a flood on a large scale is not an easy operation. Add a few hundred cattle, buffalo and goats to the mix and you get a fairly realistic sense of the challenges facing even a small community trying to organise and survive in a real disaster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           Simulated evacuation exercise

Bihar is a disaster-prone state in northern India. Recurring disasters like flood and drought have had a crippling effect on the state’s economy. It is an economy largely made up of agriculture and animals. Animals experience emergencies the same way people do. They feel pain, stress and can become ill. Surviving animals suffer the effects of flood, drought and other emergency situations. When people communities are devastated or caught unprepared, their animals suffer as well. Sometimes, just knowing where to evacuate to, and how to do so in a way that the animals’ welfare is maintained is the difference between survival and suffering or loss.

The people who live here and depend on animals for their livelihoods know this as well as anyone and were very pleased to be able to practice evacuation drills and flood preparedness in a way that considers the needs of their animals too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                        The exercise drew approximately 500 villagers and their animals in disaster-prone Madhubani District, Bihar.

We’re very encouraged by the excellent cooperation between WSPA and our partners in Bihar. With the government and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) recognising that animals matter in disasters, we can imagine a day in the not too distant future where disasters take less of a toll on people and animals in better-prepared communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                       After the drill, animals and the people who care for them have a better chance of surviving future disasters.

Disaster Alert: Hurricane Sandy

WSPA’s Disaster Management Team continues to closely monitor Hurricane Sandy and remains in regular contact with our partners on the ground. Fortunately, there are a large number of experienced and highly skilled US-based organisations that will be available to respond to the needs of any animals affected.

We will keep you up to date with any developments.

Investing in a Better Future for Animals and People in Assam

In Assam, people sing traditional songs called Bihu – songs about a way of life that has lasted for thousands of years. The songs bring to life the timeless relationship between animals and the people who depend on them. One such song is about a man who is destined to never find a wife because all his time is dedicated to his buffalo and the endless tasks involved in tending to fields and crops.

In Seujia Pathar village, they no longer raise buffalo. In 1980, the villagers stopped this ancient practice and switched to raising bulls -- an animal that requires much less feed and shade. Here bulls are constant companions, often named in Assamese for the colour of their coats – ‘black’, ‘brown’, ‘mottled’ and so on.  But, they represent more than just companions; they are investments for the future. As one villager described them – they are the local equivalent of a bank account.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three young bulls in Seujia Pathar village, Dhemaji District, Assam

Try for a moment to imagine what it might be like to wake up one morning and discover your bank account is empty. For people dependent on their animals like Dipen Bora Gohain or Dalimiya in rural Assam, that is exactly what a flood can be like. 

July and August 2012 saw some of the worst flooding in memory throughout the Machkhowa Block, Dhemaji District, Assam. Many animals were lost. Some were washed away, others drowned while others fell sick to illnesses that spread quickly, flourishing in the unsanitary conditions that followed in the wake of stagnant, fetid floodwaters.

 

 

 

A bridge washed away by recent floods

The mighty Brahmaputra river that traverses this northeast Indian state overflowed its banks. An annual and predictable event, the floods this year were larger and more devastating than any in recent memory. The river – this bringer of life - showed its other nature: a destructive wall of death and disease that kept some areas underwater for up to a week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 RajatBura Gohain, Seujia Pathar village resident and Indian Army Medical Corps officer shows the high water mark left from the recent floods                

Dipen is thirty-seven years old and is actively involved in his community. He is the local representative of the development-focused NGO Action for Food Production, and we first met him when we came to his village in response to the floods and its impact on the animals. Dipen owns a large one-year old sow named Phakhari (‘mottled’). He purchased her one year ago for one thousand rupees (about $18 USD). She lives in his family compound along with his wife Manulla Bora Gohain and his young son Mrinmoy. He plans to sell her soon for 10,500 rupees (about $195 USD) – a significant profit in the livestock and agriculture-based economy of the Dhemaji District.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dipen and Phakhari

Dalimiya owns several cows and a young bull named Lal Bai or “red brother” in Assamese. She and her family live side by side with their cattle near Seujia Pathar and consider them to be members of the family. To meet the family, is to immediately recognise that Lal Bai holds a special place in their hearts. Dalimiya proudly showed us the animal feed provided by WSPA – a month’s supply of rice bran. She offered thanks for seeing her and her family through the worst of the floods while Lal Bai slowly ate the rice bran in the family’s swept mud courtyard.

Living several houses down from one of the feed distribution centres WSPA-sponsored, Dalimiya and people from the surrounding community rushed over to greet us enthusiastically when they saw our WSPA t-shirts. Despite the recent hard times, people smiled as they recalled someone being there for their animals. “With your help, Lal Bai and my cows had enough to eat and this helped them and my whole family,” said Dalimiya.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dalimiya, her granddaughter Dili Rani and Lal Bai

Animals form the backbone of the local economy – plowing fields, giving milk, eggs, meat and as the main source of income from sales. To lose an animal in a disaster has a devastating effect on families. If the animals manage to survive the initial flood, there is often a lack of food and clean water to keep them healthy and floodwaters create conditions where diseases like foot and mouth disease and dysentery flourish.

WSPA selected Machkhowa as the focus of our response in Assam because the animal need here was greatest. In addition to supplying feed, we worked alongside local veterinarians, to distribute veterinary medicines and set up mobile veterinary clinics. Now we’re here working in Seujia Pathar village to create a model plan that draws on local knowledge to determine things like where to evacuate, how to source feed, what resources are available to the community and how to access them when needed.           Hansen and residents of Seujia Pathar documenting a goat's health information

Our hope is this plan will help the residents of Seujia Pathar cope with future disasters and, if successful, be adopted elsewhere in India. As always, our goal is to help break the effects of the annual disaster cycle, ensure communities are better prepared and their animals are safe.