Livestock play an important economic, social and cultural function for the pastoralist community in Galmudug State, Somalia. They sustain the wellbeing of the households and loss of these productive assets severely affect the household food security and nutrition. Drought, destruction of pasture by the desert locust, and lack of quality veterinary services in the region have negatively affected livestock production leading to reduction of sizes of herds and livestock produce in the region.
NAPAD has partnered with Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) to treat 27,863 animals owned by 900HHs who live in villages of Shilamadow, Darasalam, Dafle, Wanagsan, Gesweyne and Barwaqo in Abudwak district. 20 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHW) received training on how to conduct animal treatment. These community resource people were also provided with veterinary drugs and vitamins required to offer their services to the community. The treatment exercise involved, administering antibiotics to treat common diseases such as pneumonia and sheep and goat pox, deworming, hoof trimming and provision of multivitamins to the weak animals.
Community Animal Health workers conducting animal treatment
“The treatment exercise came in at the right time when there was an outbreak of serious Pneumonia among animals Approximately 30 of my 54 shoats were sick before the treatment, I had no money to purchase drugs we never have access to veterinary services from the government. All my sick and weak animals have now received treatment through NAPAD and they are healthy. I am grateful to NAPAD for this livestock treatment campaign. Reports Nasri Abdi, one of the beneficiaries for the livestock treatment from Shilmadow village
Nasri observes as her shoats receive treatment
Nasri further reported that “the body condition of her animals has improved after the treatment, which now would fetch beter prices and also increased milk production for both family use and selling. My appeal to NAPAD is to increase the number of animals to be treated per household and the number of beneficiaries to cover more households who require help, next time they undertake such noble activity”
The communities appreciate livestock health interventions conducted by NAPAD organization as they were on the verge of losing their animals due to various illnesses. Such interventions are infrequent, and when they happen to take place, they cover a very small portion of their livestock compared to the needs on the ground. The community leaders, therefore, requested that such intervention be broadened to reach a greater population.