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Sudan has the largest number of internally displaced persons in the world, with nearly 4.3 million displaced after years of conflict, according to UNICEF. The Darfur region in western Sudan is facing an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with more than 260,000 people displaced in 2012 and around 1.6 million living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Agriculture, including livestock and fisheries, is Sudan’s most important economic sector, accounting for around one-third of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and providing a livelihood for around two-thirds of the working population. With funding from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), FAO, in partnership with the Kebkabiya Smallholders Charitable Society (KSCS) and local non-governmental organization (NGO) SAEKER, provided vaccines and a total of 140 metric tons of animal feed to protect the livestock assets of newly displaced persons living in Soltouni and Tawila camps in North Darfur.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 76,000 people were newly displaced in Darfur in the first half of 2016. The vast majority of these displacements were caused by the conflict in Jebel Marra, Darfur, which began in January 2016. Since the outbreak of the conflict, more than 52,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Jebel Marra have arrived at IDP camps in Sortony and Tawila, North Darfur.
Distributing animal feed and vaccines
In July 2016, FAO and the Kebkabia Smallholder Charitable Society (KSCS) began distributing 75 metric tons of fodder and supplementary animal feed in Sortony. In addition, FAO and local NGO SAEKER distributed 65 metric tons of fodder and supplementary animal feed in the Tawila-Burgo IDP camp. The distributed feed is enough to feed 9,500 goats and donkeys.
Adam Ali, 55, stressed the need for livestock interventions, which come at a difficult time for him and his family. “The feed comes at an opportune time. Due to the poor quality and low quantity of feed, our animals, especially the donkeys, have become very thin and sick. I have already lost a donkey and two goats, as there is no pasture and crop residues are very limited. The animal feed provided by FAO will improve the condition of our animals and prevent their deaths. It will also help us supplement the small amount of sorghum we give to the animals with some salt and straw,” he explained.
The initiative was made possible thanks to a $400,000 grant from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which provided supplementary feed and vaccines for the livestock of the newly displaced people in Sortony and Tawila. The distribution of livestock feed was overseen by members of a newly formed camp committee, which consists of 10 IDPs from both IDP camps.
The Importance of Healthy Livestock
Healthy livestock provide essential livelihood support for displaced people arriving from Jebel Marra. “The livestock of displaced people should be considered one of their most valuable assets. Displaced families take great risks to take these animals with them, and they do so to protect their most valuable asset,” said El Mardi Ibrhaim, FAO Technical Officer and Resident Livestock Specialist. “The need for families to keep their livestock healthy and productive is an essential component of an effective and comprehensive humanitarian response in North Darfur.”
Donkeys are an important means of transport and source of income, helping families collect water, firewood, wild food and other forest products. Healthy goats produce 60% more meat and milk, ensuring families have access to food, including protein and micronutrients. For the poorest families in Jebel Marra, milk production is an important household strategy to protect their children from malnutrition and supplement their diets.
In the current crisis, supporting livestock production can reduce stunting as livestock provide vulnerable households with an important source of high-quality protein, highly bioavailable and essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and zinc. Such interventions also strengthen and intensify nutrition sector activities and increase the impact and coverage of general food distribution.
Right to food and protection of livelihoods
People affected by disasters have the right to protect their livelihoods. Livestock support services for displaced households are rights-based. These interventions meet Right to food and Right to a standard of living,conform to Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Humanitarian Response.
In order to avoid irreversible coping strategies (such as selling productive livestock at a low price), it is essential to support the affected population. For humanitarian programming in Sudan, the vulnerability of households and individuals who depend on livestock for their livelihoods is directly related to livestock assets. The higher the value of livestock assets, the greater the resilience of households to the shock of displacement.
Reaching important milestones
Through these interventions, FAO achieved important milestones in North Darfur:
- vaccinated, dewormed and treated 9,500 donkeys for epidemic and endemic diseases;
- vaccinated 11,000 small ruminants against PPR, sheep pox and hemorrhagic septicaemia, and carried out deworming and enzootic treatment;
- Procured and distributed 310 metric tons of animal feed concentrate;
- Six metric tons of mineral lick blocks were procured and distributed; and 4,000 women were trained in the manufacture and use of energy-efficient stoves.
FAO continues to advocate for the expansion of livestock health interventions to ensure that the humanitarian community can meet the needs of pastoralist families in Darfur and other parts of Sudan.
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