625-628 Conflict

625 IRAQ, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Somalia, Mozambique, Indonesia – all countries that have suffered or are currently suffering from the effects of conflict or natural disaster, and all countries where veterinary expertise has been required. While media images from such areas primarily focus on the human cost, livestock and draught animals are often an essential part of the lives of the people affected. Subsequent to the immediate humanitarian and welfare efforts, longer-term work is needed to secure a sustainable future for both people and animals. ‘You have to take a long-term view – you can’t just parachute in for the photo opportunity’, said Mr Jeremy Hulme, chief executive of SPANA, describing the charity’s increasing role in providing emergency relief following conflicts or disasters. Taking a shortterm view could compound the problems faced by people, he continued. For example, in a refugee camp in Darfur, where SPANA is the only veterinary charity currently working, feeding the refugees’ donkeys had become a priority. Over 10,000 donkeys had died in the camp because the emphasis had been on helping the people – yet these people relied on the donkeys for transport and for tasks such as collecting firewood. The camp was home to 70,000 people, who now had only 1500 donkeys between them. People affected by disaster or conflict were often as concerned for their animals’ wellbeing as for their own, he said. For example, in Iraq, the Red Crescent had found that, at a human health clinic it had established, farmers would come to ask for veterinary advice for their animals, just as much, if not more, than for their own health care needs.