Sudan: more than one million animals vaccinated

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Animal health has been a major concern for nomads in Darfur and South Kordofan, said Christophe Driesse, who coordinates the ICRC's economic security activities in Sudan. "Armed clashes are making it difficult for them to obtain veterinary services and to reach the grazing areas where they used to take their animals. The vaccination of animals is an essential means of supporting their livelihood." Among the five major diseases that could affect the animals is anthrax, a bacterial infection that is in most forms mortal and can also spread to humans. The animals vaccinated are cows, goats, sheep, camels, horses and donkeys. The ICRC provided vaccines and refresher training for members of remote pastoralist communities who monitor animal health and provide basic treatment. Since 2005, more than 270 community animal health workers have been trained thanks to the partnership between the ICRC and MARF in Darfur. They have also been provided with drugs and other items needed for the treatment of sick animals. The ICRC has been assisting the victims of the armed conflict in Darfur since 2003. It has been involved in the vaccination of animals in partnership with MARF in Darfur since 2005 and in South Kordofan since 2010. For further information, please contact: Julia Gebert, ICRC Khartoum, tel: +249 1 83 476 464 or +249 912 137 764 Nicole Engelbrecht, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 22 71 or + 41 79 217 32 17