Farmers raising livestock in the Upper Nile region have been provided with much-needed veterinary aid and training by a team from the Indian Battalion serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

The Indian veterinary team taught livestock owners at the Maath community in Melut how to adopt better stock management and breeding practices to ensure their animals remain healthy and their farm is productive. The activity is part of a ‘Treat and Educate’ campaign run by the Indian battalion as they help find sustainable solutions for communities in the Upper Nile who depend on raising cattle and other livestock to support their families.

The campaign involves providing advice on how to improve animal health, general awareness on common diseases prevalent in the area, and measures they can take to keep their stock healthy. More than 1500 animals including cattle, calves, sheep, goats and donkeys were examined, dewormed, and treated at the two-day camp. Mineral mix, calcium supplements and feed additives were also distributed.In addition, community members were trained in ways to make their livestock farming economically viable in the long-term, which will help alleviate the lack of food and extreme poverty in the region.

The veterinary aid camp, held with the support of the Melut County Commissioner, Thomas Jock Deng, will also help build strong links and ongoing relationships with local authorities so they can work in partnership with UNMISS on future projects like the ‘Treat and Educate” campaign.