World Animal Protection - Animals in Disasters Blog

Nepal: two devastating earthquakes have left many without hope

Sergio Vasquez, our Veterinary Response Officer for Latin America shares his experience responding to animal needs in Nepal after two major earthquakes.

“The rubble of homes and shelters is everywhere. In the capital city of Kathmandu, makeshift tents and shelters stand in for homes. The Nepalis were just beginning to rebuild their homes when a second earthquake caused more death and destruction. As you can imagine, the animals are in very poor condition as well.

Hundreds of injured dogs were left behind by their owners, who had to evacuate in an effort to save their lives. The veterinary hospital in the area treated as many as they could, but many of them have serious injuries.

Multiple aftershocks remind the people of the possibility of a new disaster, causing a great sense of instability; when the ground itself is unpredictable, what can you trust? Some people, having lost so many family members and most of their assets, have reached a point where they can only focus on surviving.

The high levels of stress make it difficult for people to care for themselves or their animals, we even saw some injured people who had not received any help.

The same thing happens with animals. We visited a family who had a badly injured donkey as its home fell in on it during the earthquake. Unfortunately, the owners were in shock and refused our help.

 

Stress not only affects people, it also affects animals who are producing much less than usual. A cow that generated seven litres of milk a day now generates only one litre and buffaloes are producing 50% less milk.

This is mainly a cattle farming area and 90% of the people depend on their animals for their livelihood. After the earthquake, 60% of animals were affected. These animals mean everything to their families. We visited a woman and her buffalo, but the poor animal was so shaken up that when we tried to check him it kicked the lady and we had to rush her to the nearest clinic.

It´s not all bad news as some animals were saved thanks to the courage of their owners, as was the case of "Suertuda", a little goat in the Chautara municipality. She was the only survivor of a herd of twelve goats that were crushed from the rubble. She was saved by its owner, Bikisha Basnet, a twelve-year-old girl who put her own life at risk in order to save her goat.

Another story was Mr. Bahadun Besnel of Kavre district, who courageously saved his wife and son when their home collapsed. Bahadun had to dig for two hours to create an air space in the kitchen and bring out a little cow that was trapped underneath the house. This was the only survivor of their animals, which are everything to him and his family.

 

The World Animal Protection team is working hard to bring help and hope to the thousands of animals affected by this terrible emergency.

Though Nepal is far away for most of you, take a moment to think of the people and animals who need your help. Please donate today. Also remember to make an emergency plan that includes your family and animals, as it can save their lives and yours.” 

"He is my only friend"

In Sindupalchowk, we came across Moti, a five-year-old male dog. He was sitting in the shade of what used to be part of a roof. His owners were busy tossing rocks and pieces of wall out of their damaged but still standing home.

The process of rebuilding for some is underway, while others are living under tarps, their former homes and animal shelters completely destroyed. They say they are unsure where to start but living exposed to the elements – fierce winds keep them up at night, while temperatures soar to 30 degrees in the day -  is clearly taking a toll.

Moti, lies in the shade of part of the roof of his owner's former home. May 3, 2015 © World Animal Protection

 

Moti looked traumatised and it was easy to see why. He and his family lived in the midst of a destroyed village. Aid for people was only just beginning to arrive and we were the only animal welfare organisation operating in the area.

Like the people in his village, Moti is clearly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar and difficult new reality. He was extremely aggressive as a result of his stress so we were only able to feed him instead of examining him.

 

Hansen Thambi Prem gives Moti some food. May 3, 2015 © World Animal Protection

Some dogs have fared better than Moti, while others are hungry, alone and injured. We are coming their aid as we find them. Kale’s story was a little happier.

The day was ending and shadows were mercifully beginning to snake through the village, offering the residents some respite from the relentless heat. Our team was descending down the foothill, when we came across Krishna Bahadur Jyoti.

 

Kishna Bahadur Jyoti and Uday Singh Karka, a World Animal Protection volunteer vet beside a temporary shelter in Sindupalchowk. May 3, 2015 © World Animal Protection

Mr. Jyoti was stooped with age, his eyes bleary. He was too young to remember the 1934 earthquake, the last time that the country experienced anything approaching the intensity of the one that devastated Nepal on April 25. He paused to talk to us. He’d been trying to pull plastic sheets over the temporary shelter for his livestock. His voice cracked with tears as he said, “My grandson and his family have gone downhill to bring anything they get as aid. I am too old to walk up and down the hill so I stay at home, my only friend is Kale" as he pointed to the dog beside their temporary shelter.

Kale, two and a half years old. He is octogenarian Krishna Bahadur Jyoti's "only friend" in the daytime. Thankfully both survived the earthquake unscathed but are living in a temporary shelter together along with six family members and four goats. © World Animal Protection

"Hearing his story, for an instant I felt like pouring all the heaviness in my heart through tears," related volunteer vet Uday Singh Karki later.

Villages like these are struggling after the worst disaster in memory. Thanks to your support, we can be there to ease their suffering and take care of their animals. Our rapid assessment is now complete and we’re formulating what to do to safeguard the future of the most vulnerable in the aftermath of this terrible disaster.

Uday shares his experience of volunteering with our response team in Nepal

“The whole ground started trembling, the stones dropping one and other from the wall. I rushed downstairs to the ground and there I remembered my three buffaloes still inside the collapsing shed. I rushed to untie them but it was too late for Kali, the adult female buffalo, as the roof collapsed on her,” said Indra Bahadur Jyoti 50, recalling the moment the earthquake struck.

Shiva Kumari Jyoti, 71, her son Indra and two of their buffaloes. They survived the earthquake but are living in temporary shelters. We treated the buffaloes pictured for skin infections and bruises. May 3, Sinduplachowk, Nepal. © World Animal Protection

As our team was ascending the narrow dusty road up to the Chhanauta Village Development Committee, Sindupalchowk, we saw terrible evidence of destruction; houses turned into rubble, people impatiently waiting to collect any aid arriving, livestock with bruises and wounds crying out in pain. No sooner had we reached the village than people started asking to help their traumatized animals describing the impacts of earthquake on their livestock. Like Indra, everyone had heartbreaking stories to share about the terrible toll on their livestock and homes from the April 25th earthquake.

Dr. Akash Maheshwari treats an injured buffalo. © World Animal Protection

We walked up steep pathways that took us through the wrecked sites – once homes and animal shelters. Sita Jyoti, 40 explained, “When the earthquake begin, I held my two children in my arms and rushed out of my home which was starting to crack. Soon the whole structure fell apart and the stones crushed the goat shed too. The female goat who was a mother of five kids was trapped inside the shed with her young. We were only able to rescue them after three days.” We checked the mother goat and her kids and prescribed medicines for them. One small female was limping as a result of being buried alive.

Volunteer vet Dr. Ramchandra and Dr. Akash Maheshwari examine the lame kid belonging to Sita Jyoti. © World Animal Protection

There was not a single home where the livestock weren’t injured. Our team walked all day long to treat as much animals as we could and gave them the necessary medicines.

I am a student of veterinary medicines and volunteered with World Animal Protection’s response team. Together, four of us Nepali vets and local officials worked with the team. I am very happy to have the chance to come to the aid of animals and their owners but I wonder - did we do enough? even though it seems nothing is not enough right now. I am glad to have been able to at least soothe the wounds of animals and hearts of people by reassuring them that help is on the way.  I, you and we must come together and heal the suffering of animals and humans in Nepal.
 

Uday pictured in the background, takes notes on an animal's health condition and what medications are required while another volunteer looks on. © World Animal Protection

 

Guest blogger Uday Singh Karki is 23 years old and in his final year of veterinary studies. Originally from Chitwan, Nepal, he is based in Kathmandu. He is passionate about animal welfare and improving the lives of people and animals in Nepal.

Helping animals in Nepal's remote mountain villages

May 2, 2015

We’re in the Kavre district, a two-hour drive from Kathmandu. It is one of the worst affected areas identified by the Nepali government.

Toppled homes and animal shelters are everywhere. People and animals are living in makeshift shelters and what were once beautiful mountain villages are now grim sites full of rubble.

© World Animal Protection

The roads are dusty and scored with deep cracks from the earthquake. Getting to the villages is not easy. The roads wind up and around endless mountains and are blocked by landslides, fallen trees and the remains of houses.

The smell of the dead hangs in the air. People and animals lie buried where they fell as stone and brick shelters collapsed on top of them. I'm grateful for having a purpose to help the animals as it's overwhelming at times to see such suffering.

Animals stand in the rubble of their former shelter. Kavre District. © World Animal Protection

I mostly hear the sounds of stones being discarded and metal sheets pried loose from the piles of rocks that were once homes as people begin to rebuild their houses and animal shelters. I also hear the animals. Dogs barking, cows, buffaloes and goats communicating with each other and some whining in pain.

You can feel the heaviness everywhere and funeral processions are a regular site. Children’s faces have harder expressions than any child should know.

In Kankre village, Gokul Bajgain (40) tells me he lost three cows and six goats when the quake struck. I follow him to what was once his home and animal shelter. He explains that both collapsed in the earthquake, and is obviously stressed by the loss of his livelihood. His neighbour, Chirim Jibi (28) calls out that his goats need help.

Three days before, Chirim and his wife Bipana pulled out a two year old female and her month old male kid. There were two before, but his sister was killed when the shelter fell on them. The goats spent three days buried in the rubble before they could reach them.

As if his situation was not tragic enough, his mother has rejected the poor kid. In the disorientation and stress of being buried alive, she has lost her maternal instinct toward him. She also has cuts on her udders so they gingerly coax her to feed him.

Survivors. Bipana, 27, looks on as the kid and his mother momentarily connect. Kankre village, Kavre District, Nepal. May 2, 2015

We give Chirim and Bipana ointment to treat the mother’s wounds over several days and check the kid’s health too. We are relieved to see he is in good health and encourage them to continue helping him nurse in this critical time while he is totally dependent on his mother.

We’re working to help animals because they are in desperate need of help. Thank you for supporting our team so we can help the many animals in need.

    
Dr. Ramchandra, a volunteer vet from Nepal and World Animal Protection's Dr. Akash Maheshwari examine a month old goat who was limping and suffering from diarrhea. He was buried in his shelter but his owners rescued him, his five siblings and his mother. We treated his injuries and gave his owners medicine to treat his diarrhea. © World Animal Protection

Animals and people left without homes in Kathmandu

Every public space – parks, the gold course, even the parking lot at my hotel is full with makeshift temporary shelters. The bright orange and blue tarps provided by aid agencies are their only respite from relentless and brutal sun. People have lost their homes or are too afraid to go back inside those that remain standing. Every day we feel multiple aftershocks and ever rising death tolls are reported in the media.

This is a city gripped by fear and mourning.

Like people, animals in Nepal are suffering, hungry and without homes. I’ve seen street dogs huddled together in the ruins of ancient temples and toppled apartment blocks, taking shade where they can find it.

Street dogs take shade in the ruins of a temple. Kathmandu, 30 April, 2015. World Animal Protection / Florian Witulski

Street dogs who in normal times, rely on handouts from communities and have no single owner are suffering greatly after the earthquake. The people who normally care for them no longer have homes and many have no way to feed themselves.

I saw a woman sleeping in what was left of a temple. She had her arms wrapped around a dog, also asleep. Their love for one another and the bond all of us who have pets can relate to was obvious. It struck me that for people around the world, sometimes our greatest comfort is our animals.

 

Lalitpur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. May 1, 2015. © World Animal Protection

Our disaster response team and Nepali veterinarians who are volunteering their time, is here to help the animals. Over the next few days we will be treating animals in the worst affected areas and getting a picture of their needs and how to help them. So far, we expect these to be emergency veterinary care for wounds and illnesses, food and shelter. I will keep you updated on how the animals are doing and how we are helping them.

Racing to help animals suffering after devastating earthquake in Nepal

With today's news that the death toll from Nepal's earthquake passed 5000 people and the United Nations reporting 8 million affected, the true horror and scale of the disaster continues to grow.

Our team arrived yesterday and have immediately begun a rapid relief operation to come to the aid of animals and the people who need them. Working alongside and complimenting the work of humanitarian organisations, we are ensuring that these less often considered but equally vulnerable victims get food, veterinary care and whatever else they may need in this terrible time.

A dog lies in rubble four days after the earthquake devastated Nepal. Kathmandu. © Florian Wiltulski / World Animal Protection

We are working with the government to determine animal needs and numbers but these remain unknown as the quake, in addition to damaging the capital and surrounding cities, has destroyed communities in the mountainous regions that ring the Kathmandu valley.

© Florian Wiltulski / World Animal Protection

This is my first time back to Nepal since I lived there fifteen years ago and seeing what was once home reduced to rubble and so much suffering affects me like no other disaster. I remember the kindness of Nepalis and the way they lived so closely with their animals. I fear for my old home Thulo Syabru as news reports say villages in the area have been wiped out by landslides or slipped off their precarious mountainside perches entirely. My heart breaks for the hard working farmers, their innocent children and animals and I watch the news constantly, hopeful for some good news.

We are here to help and save animals' lives, protect and maintain their health and stave off starvation. They and their human companions urgently need our help. Please don't turn away from the difficult images on TV or think that we and other relief organisations have it covered. The needs are massive and heart breaking. Please help.

 

Update: puppy is sitting up, responsive and has eaten her first meal in over a week

A remarkable difference: sitting upright though still a long road ahead to recovery. © World Animal Protection

The young female puppy I told you about last time made it through the night with the help and care of her owner and was sitting up when we arrived to check on her and give her more treatment.

Though unsteady on her front legs, she was able to keep herself upright and we gave her medications to treat pneumonia as well as more glucose and water.
 
It was such a relief to see her sitting upright and wagging her tail. She had trouble coordinating her movements and her head lagged behind what seemed like her clear intention to nuzzle Dr. Pholperm.
 
She was very vocal and made a kind of groaning whine. I noticed she was docile and relaxed while our vet cared for her but lifted her head as best she could towards him each time he reached for a new syringe of water or new treatment.
 
As he'd done the previous day, Steven Clegg, our manager of disaster operations in Asia Pacific stepped in and laid his hand on her, which seemed to relax her again. She just wanted some contact and care.

Steven Clegg reassures Pam as Dr. Pholperm treats her the previous day. © World Animal Protection

Her owner Valia was very happy to see her coming back to health and told us he'd decided to name her "Pam".

We dropped in twice again before leaving Epi Island, each time giving her a bit more treatment and care. I cannot promise Pam will live but I can promise you a very dedicated team of people who care for animals did our best to give her a chance both through immediate care and veterinary treatment as well as educating her owner on how to help her. We will continue to check in on her and keep you updated on little Pam’s recovery as we continue to roll out aid to Epi in the near future.
 
Without your support dogs like Pam would have no chance and would face long, lingering deaths from preventable conditions. And it isn’t just dogs. We’re helping as many animals as we can and only because of you can we help them survive the aftermath of this disaster.

Moments from death, a young pup’s life is saved

When we first saw her, she was in the words of our vet: “moments from death.”

Little more than a skeleton, she lay in the grass at the side of a path, her tiny chest moving with each laboured breath. I’ve honestly never seen an animal that close to death and it was heartbreaking.
 
Our vet Dr. Naritsorn Pholpherm immediately began palpating her body and trying to determine how to save her. He said she was severely dehydrated, malnourished and could not lift her head.
                                               

Six months old and hours from death. A tiny puppy lies in the grass on Epi Island, Vanuatu. March 23, 2015. © World Animal Protection

Dr. Pholperm said the priority was getting her hydrated as she stood no chance of recovering nor was her body in a state where she could metabolise medicine. He began helping her by injecting her with glucose and then gave her water with a syringe. She lapped it up and you could see with each mouthful and as the glucose took effect, the life coming back into her eyes. Her tail began wagging but you could see the exertion even that happy gesture caused her.

The puppy eagerly drinks water given by syringe. © World Animal Protection

Her owner, Valia walked over and explained she had been ill for more than a week after eating what he suspected was a poisonous fish washed up after Cyclone Pam. He said she had stopped eating “many days” before and stopped drinking yesterday. He had clearly given up any hope for her and seeing her wretched state, on an island without regular access to veterinary care, it was easy to see why.
                                    Valia looks on as Dr. Naritsorn Pholperm treats the little pup. © World Animal Protection

Before we left her, we carried her into a shaded area within Valia’s compound and made her a comfortable bed. We gave Valia glucose and the syringe to feed her and instructed him on how to give her water at regular intervals. We also promised to return the following morning to treat what we suspected was pneumonia, contracted by lying in the moist, humid grass where she was unable to lift her head.
                                                Dr. Pholperm, assisted by Steven Clegg carries the puppy to a better environment for a much-hoped-for recovery. © World Animal Protection

While it was so painful for all of us to see her suffering, we left somewhat reassured that she had a better chance of survival, was more comfortable and her owner now knew how to help her.
 
I’ll be sure to update you about our return to check on the puppy.

Animals at risk as food shortage grows

Two weeks after Cyclone Pam tore through Vanuatu, we’ve completed our initial assessment of the needs of animals affected by the disaster and we’ve been delivering urgent aid to those that are suffering.

We’ve seen multiple animal injuries and deaths from falling trees and structures. Our vets have also treated pre-existing conditions made worse by the Category 5 storm.

A chicken walks past a collapsed house in Lokopui, Epi Island, Vanuatu.

But for the surviving animals, it’s the growing food shortage that poses the biggest threat across multiple islands reeling in the wake of the worst disaster of this kind in decades.

In Lokopui village on the northern tip of Epi Island, we met with church leader David Sam, 35 who told us not since 1951 had they experienced a disaster even approaching this scale of destruction. He said that Cyclone Pam was the worst they had ever suffered.

David Sam recalls the night the cyclone hit. © World Animal Protection

Thankfully no people in Lokopui were hurt during the storm, but sadly one of the village’s sows was killed by falling tree, and more than ten chickens lost their lives in the chaos. With no shelter big enough to accommodate all the animals, they were set free from their tethers and pens to try and survive the night on their own.

A pig stands amid fallen debris. Epi Island, Vanuatu. © World Animal Protection

In the days that followed one of the village puppies developed a fatal respiratory disease -- a problem we’d seen in other villages around the island.

David’s 80-year-old mother, Nadi spoke emotionally about the dire situation she and her community were facing.

“Our lives are destroyed,” said Nadi. The cyclone’s destructive winds have wiped out the crops the people and animals of Lokopui rely on to survive.

“How do we get our food or our lives back?”  

David’s mother Nadi pleads for help for her community and its animals.  © World Animal Protection

The food situation here is rapidly becoming critical. Many animals are staying alive only by eating the remaining coconuts in Lokopui and rural communities across dozens of islands. We’ve advised farmers to spread these out as much as they can until our emergency feed arrives.

A farmer opens coconuts for his pigs. Epi Island, Vanuatu. © World Animal Protection

In two weeks the food will run out for the animals.

People and animals all over the country are facing this problem of food security. 80 percent of families in Vanuatu rely on their animals and crops for food and their livelihoods. When the cyclone damaged those crops, the situation was made even more terrible.

Protecting animals in the wake of a disaster is critical to safeguard their welfare and help communities rebuild. World Animal Protection is helping protect animals in Vanuatu by delivering emergency feed for animals that are in desperate need.

Two piglets in Lokopui. Epi Island, Vanuatu. © World Animal Protection

Animal survivor stories from Vanuatu

Some of the animals we've met so far on our disaster response operation following Cyclone Pam have really touched our hearts.

At the Port Vila veterinary clinic we saw a beloved family dog with a broken pelvis
sustained when record-breaking winds ripped through the capital. Despite his painful injuries, 'Teo', a seven-year old Bichon Frise is one of the lucky ones who found immediate aid in Dr. Karin O’Connor's clinic.

 Teo has been recovering since sustaining a broken pelvis when Cyclone Pam hit. © World Animal Protection

An adorable little stray kitten somehow knew to turn up at the clinic when she was left with a broken leg. 'Crystal' is a bright eyed, communicative cat who, despite her injuries reached out a paw and wanted to play when we saw her. We spent some time petting her and were relieved to know she is in good hands.

Crystal, 6 months old

Together with Doctor O'Connor, who graciously donated her time to help, our response team has treated many hungry and ill animals on Efate. One of the most touching was a group of week old pups who were so hungry they tried to nurse off one of our team's fingers. We immediately fed them and their mother who wolfed back the emergency food we left for her and got straight to nursing her pups.

Pups enjoying a good meal for the first time since the cyclone. © World Animal Protection

Now with two more World Animal Protection vets who've just arrived from our Bangkok office, we are headed for Epi in the Shepherd Islands. The high livestock and pet population as well as its location in the worst of the storm's path make it highly vulnerable and we know the needs will be great.

Communications are down in Epi at the moment but we will keep you updated as best we can over the next few days.