World Animal Protection - Animals in Disasters Blog

Update: assisting evacuations, ready to deploy: Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby)

While preliminary news reports suggest that human fatalities were low, Typhoon Hagupit is slowly making its way across The Philippines now.

 

The Philippines regularly experiences floods and storm surges brought by typhoons. Filipinos go to great lengths to save their animals, sometimes putting themselves at risk to do so. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2014

We're cautiously optimistic that the mass evacuations - among the largest ever in peacetime - have kept people safe. What we now want to determine is the impact the storm has had on the animals.

 

While our Mayon response is focused chiefly on evacuating and caring for livestock due to the rural setting, urban disasters demonstrate the  importance people place on their pets as well. We are always ready to help animals in all settings survive and, in turn, help their owners. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2014

Hagupit crossed over Bicol Region where we're already evacuating animals from Mount Mayon's eruptions. With over thirteen years experience in the area, we were able to immediately get in touch with local vets and government to ensure animals were being evacuated to safe places to survive the storm.

A young girl holds her cat at an evacuation centre. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2013

With the sheer size of the storm, we are concerned about other areas that may have not been as prepared. As well, it will lash both urban and rural settings so we'll be identifying where the need is greatest and focus our initial efforts there if our help is needed. Whether it is farm animals or pets, we are ready to help.

We work to ensure that entire communities - people and animals have the help they need in disasters. © Ezra Acayan/World Animal Protection 2013

We've been working through the weekend and stand ready to deploy if the animals and their owners need us. I'll keep you posted but rest assured, the preparations we've put in place are being used, and many livestock and pets that would otherwise have been left to the mercy of the once Super Typhoon are safe in the areas where we've been working.

Philippines braces for Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby)

Another major typhoon is due to make landfall in the Philippines over the weekend. Typhoon Hagupit, known locally as Ruby, is set to cross a similar path to the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which leveled many communities in the Visayas Region last year, killing over 6,300 people and millions of animals.

Hagupit's projected path. Graphic courtesy Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)

A cat that survived Haiyan, Central Visayas, Philippines. November 2013. During and following disasters animals need the same things as people: shelter, clean water and food. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Today we have been sharing disaster preparedness advice with media and government authorities in the Philippines to help people in the Visayas and Bicol regions protect their livestock and pets during the high winds and storm surges that accompany typhoons.

In rural Philippines, people and their animals live closely together and experience, on average 20 - 24 typhoons annually. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Evidence shows us people who are well prepared to protect and evacuate their animals, are also much more likely to survive and rebuild quickly after disasters.  

As the typhoon builds in strength off the coast of the island nation, our disaster response team is in touch with government and veterinary colleagues there, ready to deploy and assist if needed. We've also been advising our contacts on coordinating potential evacuation sites to accomodate animals.

For the moment, here are the tips we are sharing via Filipino media:

Protecting Animals During a Disaster: Advice for animal owners
 
1. Typhoon Ruby – advice for livestock owners
 
If it is safe for you to do so, move your animals to higher ground or a designated safe place:
•  Bring a 72 hour supply of suitable food and water
•  Travel with an emergency kit for your animals (this may include animal identification       and records/documents/important contact numbers/first aid).
 
If you have no choice but to leave your livestock behind:
•  Before evacuating, and if it is safe for you to do so, move your animals to a                    designated safe place
•  Leave them enough food and clean water for 72 hours. They will need protection           from the elements and shelter
•  Untie them so they have a chance to escape should floodwaters rise. Tethered or           penned animals have no chance in a flood or storm surge. Animals are strong              swimmers and untying them gives them a chance to survive
•  When returning after flood waters have receded, have plenty of fresh water                    available
•  On your return, check and secure fencing as these may have shifted in the floods.
 
2. Typhoon Ruby – advice for pet owners
 
Prepare for your pet – Checklist: Emergency Survival Items
 
Food: Store at least three days of non-perishable pet food (canned or dried) in an airtight, waterproof container (remember the can opener!). Ideally this should be the same food as your normally feed your pet so as to avoid stomach upsets.
 
Water: Store at least three days of water for your pet, in addition to the water you need for your family (remember an animal can drink more water than usual when under stress). Plus you will need extra water to clean up after your pet.
 
Medicines: Store any extra supply of medicines your pet needs in a waterproof container, as well as any special dietary needs or supplements.
 
Veterinary/Medical Records: Store copies of any medical and vaccination records in a watertight container or zip lock bag including your vet’s name and telephone number (in case you have to shelter your pet or place them in foster care).
 
First Aid Kit: Prepare a first aid kit. Talk to your vet about any specific requirements such as tick/flea prevention, antibiotic ointment and saline solution (i.e. eye wash solution separate from your family use)
 
This is a message from World Animal Protection.

We're hoping for the best for the animals and people in the Philippines. But, I want to tell you we're taking action for them now as we've been doing for over 50 years globally.

Relief as survivors of Typhoon Haiyan reunite. Animals are very important to Filipinos as part of the family, or vital components of their livelihoods. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Since Haiyan, we've been working non-stop, treating and vaccinating thousands of animals in the immediate aftermath. In April, we piloted a typhoon resistant farm project to help better protect animals from future disasters. In September we also conducted community evacuation drills in Central Visayas implementing a new SMS early warning system while training and equipping local vets with bikes, mobile phones and emergency packs so they can immediately help animals following disasters.

World Animal Protection staff and staff of the Innamarga farm test out the typhoon resistant shelters we introduced earlier this year. ©World Animal Protection 2014

To date we have helped over 70,000 animals there and with your continued support we can help animals caught up in disasters worldwide.

Pet owners don't want to abandon their animals as disasters approach. We work with governments worldwide to ensure animals are part of disaster and evacuation plans. ©World Animal Protection/Chester Baldicantos 2013

Timely disaster training helped save lives during Hudhud

Cyclone Hudhud over India. October 12, 2014 credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

World Animal Protection was in Andhra Pradesh just a few weeks before Cyclone Hudhud wreaked havoc across the Indian state. We were working with villagers and government authorities conducting disaster response exercises and evacuation drills, helping them prepare their animals and themselves for the deadly impacts of storm surges and flooding.

A farmer and his sheep on the way to a World Animal Protection disaster drill. Andra Pradesh. September 25, 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014/CH Ravi Kumar

Hudhud was one of the most destructive cyclones to hit in the Bay of Bengal region since Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and sadly over a hundred people died. Official estimates of animal deaths are in excess of 2,300, with over 2.3 million poultry also lost.
 
But the death toll could have been much higher.
 
Fortunately, due to advance disaster preparations and quick actions on the part of local authorities, to evacuate animals along with their owners, the loss of life was far lower than following other storms of this magnitude.

Animals and their owners came from surrounding villages to learn solutions to the challenges and issues faced in times of crisis. © World Animal Protection 2014/CH Ravi Kumar

During the past six years, we’ve been working across the country, helping disaster prone communities so they know what actions to take to protect their animals and themselves when disasters strike.
 
If communities don’t prepare to evacuate their animals, people refuse to leave or end up taking extraordinary risks to tend to the livestock they are forced to leave behind.

 


Working with local response authorities, our staff ensured animal welfare and needs are considered in emergencies. Here, Dr. Sunil Singh Tomar demonstrates how to identify the severity of injuries or illness through color code to local health professionals.  Andra Pradesh. September 25, 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014/CH Ravi Kumar

Shri Santosh Kumar, the Deputy Commander of the local battalion of the National Disaster Response Force, said working with World Animal Protection is crucial to ensure the safety for animals and the people who depend on them.

"Conducting regular simulation exercises for managing animals during cyclones and flooding is very important. Based on our past experiences in this region during such events we find it very difficult to evacuate people because they don't want to leave without their animals. Having plans in place and designated evacuation areas means we can relocate them both,” he said.

The welfare of every animal is important to us, so in potentially stressful simulations, we use dummies. Skills are acquired but no animals are harmed. Here, evacuating small livestock in floods are practiced. Andra Pradesh. September 25, 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014/CH Ravi Kumar

Your support is helping us carry out this critically important training which ultimately means less animals and people are dying during disasters such as Cyclone Hudhud.

Our manager of disaster response in India, Hasen Thambi Prem and a few of the animal participants at the conclusion of the drill. Andra Pradesh. September 25, 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014/CH Ravi Kumar

Mayon update: Keeping animals safe and healthy in evacuation camps

A few weeks ago, I posted about Mount Mayon, a volcano in the Philippines that was showing dangerous signs of increased activity.

Dr. May Cristine Ablaneda. Vice president of PVMA Bicol region volunteered her time to help World Animal Protection keep the animals around Mount Mayon healthy and safe. October 30, 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014

People and their animals evacuated to camps, and we were in touch with officials we first worked with around the same volcano in 2001 to check on the animal needs right away.

 

Dr Naritsorn Pholperm inspects makeshift shelters in evacaution camps earlier this month. ©World Animal Protection 2014

After a quick assessment, our chief veterinarian for disaster response for the region determined that the camps needed improvements to protect the lives and health of the animals. While it is crucial to get animals out of the danger zone, just like us, they need proper shelter and living conditions in which to survive while evacuated from their normal homes.

One of thousands of cows displaced by Mount Mayon. ©World Animal Protection 2014

Working closely with the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), we have been very impressed with the speed and care with which they took action to help us improve camp conditions.

Dr. Ablaneda shares some of the supplies with a local farmer that your support has made possible. October 30, 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014

Today, I am happy to tell you that thanks to your support, we have begun improvements on the camps, delivering crucial supplies like shelter materials, disinfectant, water buckets and feed containers.

We'll keep you posted on updates but for now, thank you again for helping us help the animals displaced by Mayon.

Preventing animal suffering in future disasters

We’re just back from Panay island in Central Visayas, Philippines where we completed the last phase of our nearly year long work following Typhoon Haiyan last November.

North Cebu, November 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2013

You’ll remember the devastating stories from that time and thanks to you, we were able to help over 17,000 animals in the immediate aftermath.

Disaster veterinarian Naritsorn Pholperm administers vaccinations to a cow. North Cebu, November 2013. ©World Animal Protection 2014   

But the work did not stop there. Since then, we’ve equipped a mobile veterinary unit with bikes and motorcycles along with veterinary kits so the remotest villages can receive help for their animals during emergencies whe car and truck travel is not possible.

    
Mobile veterinarians can reach remote or otherwise inaccesible communities following a disaster. ©World Animal Protection 2014

We’ve also been working with communities, helping them create risk maps to identify hazards in their area and create plans for themselves and their animals for what to do and where to go in the event of another major disaster.

Mobilising entire villages and their animals, and practicing evacuations, while alerting other communities with SMS messages so they can take action as well were some of the elements of this week’s rehearsal. We also shared techniques with farmers how they can secure their animal structures so they are not destroyed or blown apart by high winds.

    
Animals and people alike practice evacuating to safe ground. Antique, Central Visayas. September 2014. ©World Animal Protection 2014


Securing roofs of animal enclosures prior to disasters means animals can shelter from the elements and farmers do not need to rebuild each time diasters strike. ©World Animal Protection 2014

As Maria Juliette Catipon of San Jose, Antique told me, “We never were able to save our animals before. Thank you so much for this. Now my community, their livelihoods and their companions can all evacuate together and we know what to do”.

    
Maria Juliette and her neighbours young goats get ready for the evacuation drill. ©World Animal Protection 2014

With your help, we’re making sure thousands of animals and the people who depend on them have a plan and a much better chance of surviving future disasters.

Happy healthy animals on a disaster-resistant farm

Last November, one of the saddest stories we encountered was the Inamarga farm. They’d lost all of their animals and had little hope for the future.

We knew we had to help and looking at the damage that was everywhere, it meant starting over from scratch.

Buildings were torn apart or blown away, pigs, chickens, cattle and water buffalo drowned or later died from exposure to the harsh sun. The animals had nowhere to go and suffered through the largest recorded typhoon in history.

Since then, working with the family, we reconstructed animal shelters using removable roofs made of local materials. Now when they know a major storm is coming, they can easily remove and secure the roofs so the structures are not destroyed.  

On this visit, we conducted a rehearsal of how to cope with a disaster - made all the more real by the tropical storm passing over us.

Director of Disaster Managment, James Sawyer beside the natural pig shelter with removable roof panels. ©World Animal Protection 2014

Members of our global disaster response team work with the farmers to remove and secure the roofs in the disaster simulation. ©World Animal Protection 2014

We also created underground shelters for pigs, chickens and cows so they can evacuate safely and stay beneath the whipping winds. The shelters were built with roofs that do not blow off and the floors are angled so they do not flood.

 Jennifer Inamarga leads her cows out of the underground shelter. ©World Animal Protection 2014

Jennifer Innamarga told me she feels so much safer and is grateful to you, our suporters who have made this work possible.

We also saw an opportunity to create a healthier environment for the pigs and instead of using the typical concrete and steel pens that are such miserable ways for sentient, curious animals to live in, we created a multi-layered, natural floor made from coconuts husks, dirt, vegetable matter and other organic compounds.

Partial view of natural floor with cement bathing tub in background. ©World Animal Protection 2014

It is cheap, requires a lot less work from the farmer to clean and recycles itself and the pigs waste. The biggest indicators that this is an ideal environment for the pigs was the lack of smell. Any of you who have passed an industrial pig farm know how awful they smell. This natural system and the pigs themselves did not smell at all.

Best of all, the pigs were running freely, rooting in the ground and expressing natural behaviour. Jennifer said the difference is remarkable. “These pigs are so happy, they are healthier and I work less as the system cleans itself.”

Happy pigs run between their natural enclosure and the underground shelter. ©World Animal Protection 2014

Disaster-prepared, healthy animals living happy lives. What more could you ask for? We're working with local governments and vets to make sure this model is soemthing that can be replicated across the Philippines and other countries vulnerable to typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes.

We couldn't do any of it with you. Thank you for helping us help the animals!

Mount Mayon Volcano Alert – advice for owners: protect your animals during a disaster

Most of our global disaster team were in the Philippines last week working on the conclusion of the relief work we began last year following Typhoon Haiyan.

Mount Mayon erupting in 1984. Image credit: public domain.

While we were there, Alert Level Three was raised for Mount Mayon, a volcano in the Philippines surrounded by many human and animal communities. We knew this volcano from a previous eruption in 2001 where we put into place mass evacuations for animals affected – something that had not happened previously.

World Animal Protection was leading a community evacuation drill with people and animals in Central Visayas,
Philippines as evacuations were underway around Mayon. ©World Animal Protection 2014

Local media reports described large-scale evacuations underway for thousands of people. We were very happy to learn that animals were being evacuated as well. It’s great to know that work we did over a decade ago with these communities and governments, is still being practiced today, protecting animal lives and the lives of people who depend on them.

We know from 50 years of responding to disasters, if people include animals in their plans, fewer animals and people die. Protecting animals also helps people rebuild their lives following a disaster.


Millions of animals suffer and die each year as the forgotten victims of disasters, while many animal owners put their own lives at risk to rescue or care for their animals during emergencies. Preparing your animals for a disaster can help avoid this.
 


©World Animal Protection 2014

To help animal owners caught up in this eruption, we shared the following tips with media, and several newspapers and radio stations in the area have already shared these with their audiences:
 


Mount Mayon - advice for pet owners:
 


Prepare for your pets with these emergency survival items:
 


Food:
 Try to provide the same food as you would normally feed your pet so as to avoid stomach upsets. Do not put their food on volcanic ash covered surfaces – it can be toxic and should not mix with their food.
 


Water:
 Ensure that you have enough safe drinking water for your pet in addition to the water you need for your family (remember an animal can drink more water than usual when under stress). Plus you will need extra water to clean up after your pet.
 


Medicines:
 Store any extra supply of medicines your pet needs in a waterproof container, as well as any special dietary needs or supplements.
 


Veterinary/Medical Records:
 Store copies of any medical and vaccination records safely including your vet’s name and telephone number (in case you have to shelter your pet or place them in foster care).
 


First Aid Kit:
 Prepare a first aid kit. Talk to your vet about any specific requirements such as tick/flea prevention, antibiotic ointment and saline solution (for example: eye wash solution separate from your family's supply) 
  


Mount Mayon Volcano – advice for livestock owners:
    


If it is safe for you to do so, move your animals to a designated safe place:
    •    Check water to ensure it is not contaminated by ash – animals need clean water
    •    Check feed for signs of contamination from volcanic ash. Wash feed clean of ash before             giving it to animals
    •    Shelter them inside buildings during heavier volcanic ash fall periods
    •    Prepare an emergency kit for your animals (this may include animal identification and            records/documents/important contact numbers/first aid)
   

 
If you have no choice but to leave your livestock behind:
    •    Before evacuating, leave them enough food and clean water for 72 hours
    •    They will need protection from the elements and shelter
      


This is a message from World Animal Protection.

Long term disaster protection for animals of the South Pacific

Formed by one of the most active plate boundaries, the low-lying Pacific Islands rank among the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters. Struck by tsunamis, cyclones, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions - since 1950 - more than 3.4 million people have been affected, over 1,700 have been killed and millions of animals have needed protection.

In 2014 alone, we have responded to Vanuatu in the wake of Tropical Storm Lusi and to the Solomon Islands after intense flooding. Throughout our work in the South Pacific, we have found that Pacific islanders take good care of their animals, however they have limited knowledge of animal welfare and how to care for their animals in disasters.

Improving animal welfare from the heart of communities

Now we have the opportunity to improve the long term protection of millions of animals across the South Pacific by reaching out to millions of people. We are developing an educational film, tailored to the island nations, that will train people and their communities in disaster prevention. Burned onto DVDs, the film will be distributed to thousands of people across the Pacific Islands, taking our message directly into the heart of the communities.

Working with groups like the Vanuatu Ministry of Agriculture, Vanuatu Food Security/Agriculture Cluster and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community enables us to directly benefit over 52,000 animals in the Solomon Islands and 116,000 animals in Vanuatu by improving their owner’s ability to care for them in disasters.

World Animal Protection's Dr Naritsorn Pholperm talks to a local man during the assessment of tropical storm Lusi in Vanuatu.

The strong alliance between the Pacific Island countries will mean that we are able expand this project further. With our support the DVD will be distributed far beyond Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Over the next few years, the 10 million people living in Oceania will develop a better understanding of how to prepare for their animals in disasters and millions of animals will be better protected.

We will keep you posted on the development of this exciting new project. Keep up to date with the latest World Animal Protection news on Facebook and Twitter.

World Animal Protection is on the ground in Serbia

As the water subsides and the true extent of the damage is revealed, World Animal Protection vet, Juan Carlos Murillo’s has been called upon by the Veterinary Chamber of Serbia (VCS) to support the response.

Over 80,000 hectares of land remain submerged in water and over 5 million animals are in need of emergency treatment.

Local reactions

Local farmer, Mr. Sladjan Milutinovic from Svilajnac in Central Serbia said:

“I will never forget the flood. In a matter of 30 minutes water had rose up to my waist and it remained stagnant for more than 24 hours.

My cattle did not perish because they are very strong and could stand in the flood without food or clean water but a different fate awaited 8 of my sheep who drowned after their wool got soaked and made them sink.

My biggest concern now is what will happen if a disease outbreak shows up. I have no money left to afford veterinary treatments as I spent all my resources replacing feeds for animals. My entire livelihood relies on my animals”

Juan Carlos Murillo will work with the Veterinarian Directorate of Serbia to vaccinate over 75,000 animals that have been left stranded in water.

Providing support where it's needed

We have also provided 22 veterinary kits to kick-start veterinarian practices severely affected by the floods. They will play a key role in treating animals and preventing the spread of disease.

We are currently in talks with local partner organisations in Bosnia and will keep you updated as we work alongside the people and animals in the Balkans over the coming weeks.

Keep up-to-date with the latest World Animal Protection news on Facebook and Twitter.

EC/ECHO/EEAS/EU Delegation BiH (Used under Creative Commons License)

Help is on the way for animals in Vanuatu – Tropical Cyclone Lusi

Our disaster response team is on its way to Vanuatu, to assess the impact of Tropical Cyclone Lusi and plan how best to help animals and communities affected.

Since it struck, Cyclone Lusi has travelled the length of Vanuatu, impacting all six provinces of the country. More than 100,000 people have been affected, which is over a third of Vanuatu’s whole population. Several deaths and missing people have been reported.

Animals in Vanuatu are especially at risk during storms like this one. Cattle in Vanuatu generally graze freely  around coconut palm plantations, rather than being kept in pens. This means that when a storm hits there is nowhere for them to shelter from the trees, coconuts and other debris that fall – and they can be very easily injured. Pigs are sometimes provided with improved shelter, but often they are exposed to the same hazards.

The Ministry of Agriculture has requested our assistance in assessing the situation and  how to best respond to animals and their owners in the hardest hit areas.

Whilst our priority is always for the well-being of the animals, this work also has significant benefits for people. Nearly half the families in Vanuatu rely on their own animals and crops to survive. The average household has 9 cattle, and the country holds more than 60,000 pigs. Pigs play a big part in culture and society, as well as being relied upon for food and income. Helping these animals is therefore a significant part of the recovery process for the community.

We will be sure to keep you updated as we work alongside the people and animals in Vanuatu over the coming weeks.

To get the latest updates about our work, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.