Following an outbreak of disease among livestock in Renk, Upper Nile state, UNMISS peacekeepers from India deployed to Malakal recently organized a two-day veterinary camp in the county.

“We were approached by local authorities who requested us to help livestock owners in the area,” said Colonel Neeraj Tiwari, contingent commander. “Since farming and livestock are key economic activities across South Sudan, we immediately agreed to help them.”

During the two-day camp, Indian veterinarians treated more than 4,000 animals in Abu Khadra, Rumeila and Gieger villages.

“We found most of the animals to be very weak and malnourished,” revealed Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Varghese, chief veterinarian. “Many were severely infested with external parasites such as ticks, fleas and tsetse flies.”

Given the overall poor health conditions of these animals, the veterinary team conducted awareness raising among owners on how to keep their livestock healthy, handed over feed supplements and also medicines for them to continue necessary treatments.

Deworming cattle was another important task that the veterinarians undertook. “Of the approximately 0.3 million cattle population in Renk county, our team has treated and dewormed 686 in Abu Khadra and 3168 in Rumeila village,” stated Colonel Varghese.

For his part, Anyang Agou Adop, Executive Director, Renk county, visited the camp on both days to interact with peacekeepers and livestock owners alike. He also commended the UNMISS team for their work in educating cattle owners about disease control and prevention.

Mr. Adop’s appreciation was echoed by beneficiaries of the camp. “We have received very important information about healthy animal rearing practices from the Indian peacekeepers,” said Hamid Abdullah, a local livestock breeder who owns 200 cows and 130 goats. “This will greatly improve the way in which we look after our animals and, in turn, lead to an increase in our income,” he added.

Indian peacekeepers also used the opportunity to raise awareness on COVID-19 prevention measures among local communities who attended the camp.