Livestock owners across Sudan's Darfur region have reported disease outbreaks among their herds, resulting in the deaths of large numbers of cattle. The health of livestock herds has been affected by several diseases, including Abu Zagala and haemorrhagic septicaemia. Mohamed Nassir Ahmed, a veterinarian and director of the southern livestock sector in the Buram area, stated that some livestock in the area have been vaccinated against these diseases, with coverage reaching approximately 50 percent of the herd.
The vaccination campaign was supported by the Nomads Commission and Médecins Sans Frontières' veterinary programme. However, Nassir acknowledged that vaccines for diseases including haemorrhagic septicaemia and Abu Zagala are unavailable in some parts of Sudan, including areas controlled by the Sudanese army and those controlled by the Rapid Support Forces. Efforts are underway by the Founding Government to restart the Nyala veterinary laboratory to produce or provide vaccines that are currently unavailable.
Nassir expressed concern that nomadic herders travelling from northern areas towards the south will bring diseases with them. He called on the Founding Government to provide water for livestock in areas of southern South Darfur where pasture is available, but water is scarce. Livestock owners are facing severe hardship this year due to the acute shortage of water. The low rainfall this year has resulted in shortages of pasture and water, exacerbating the situation.
In East Darfur, livestock owner Maren Jabran Hajar reported that several diseases had recently emerged among cattle, resulting in the deaths of large numbers of animals. Although the East Darfur Livestock Department has provided vaccines, including the Abu Zagala vaccine, the majority of livestock have not benefited from the vaccination campaign. Other diseases continue to affect animals, and Jabran called for urgent intervention to provide vaccines against Abu Qunait, Abu Iqal, tick-borne fever, and Um Dradam.
Jabran also complained of a shortage of pasture due to inadequate rainfall this year. The vegetation that had grown was not suitable as animal feed, attributing the problem to environmental factors including desertification and shifting winds. He stated that the vaccination campaign launched by the Livestock Department had not covered the entire pastoral and livestock sector, which he described as very extensive.
Jabran appealed to humanitarian organizations and other relevant actors working in the sector to intervene and help provide fodder and grazing areas for livestock. The situation is dire, and immediate action is necessary to mitigate the effects of the disease outbreaks and shortages of pasture and water. The livestock sector is a crucial part of the economy in Darfur, and the impact of these challenges will be felt throughout the region.
The Darfur region is facing a critical situation, with disease outbreaks and shortages of pasture and water affecting livestock owners. The Founding Government, humanitarian organizations, and other relevant actors must work together to provide vaccines, water, and fodder to mitigate the effects of this crisis. The long-term solution will require a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of these challenges, including environmental factors and the need for sustainable livestock management practices.
Key points
- Disease outbreaks and vaccine shortages have resulted in large numbers of cattle deaths in Darfur.
- Low rainfall has led to shortages of pasture and water, exacerbating the situation.
- Humanitarian organizations and the government must intervene to provide vaccines, water, and fodder to mitigate the effects of the crisis.
