Your generosity has saved more than 200,000 animals in Southern Africa from disease and starvation after their lives were turned upside down by Cyclone Idai.
Animals in disasters
Idai, one of the worst tropical storms on record, struck the region in March with horrific winds, rains and accompanying floods and mudslides. It devastated entire communities affecting around 2.6 million people. We took your help to where it was needed most – to frightened and suffering farm and pet animals in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Here’s a look at your amazing support in pictures…
Livestock in disasters
Small survivor: Cattle faced terrifying ordeals. One owner told us that his cows usually turned their back to the wind to reduce the impact, but during the cyclone, the wind kept changing direction. “It was chaotic. The animals were running up and down the hills desperately trying to get away from the wind, but there was no escape.”
Many of them were injured by running into fences, trees and by getting hit from falling debris. Here, our vet Dr Victor Toroitich treats Million the calf at Linga village in Chikwawa District.
International disaster management
On the move: Juan Carlos Murillo, our international disasters response manager, packs five veterinary kits that were paid for with your donations. The kits travelled with the team to Chimoio, Mozambique. These five veterinary kits contained antibiotics, minerals, vitamins, pain killers, anti-inflammatory and hoof rot treatments, as well as dewormers. They contained enough to initially treat 1,500 animals. We then donated enough supplies to Mozambique's directorate of veterinary services to help at least 200,000 animals.
Working partners: In Zimbabwe are still working with the country’s department of veterinary services and the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA) to distribute supplies. Initially, our team visited relief camps, to assess the conditions of animals. Hansen Thambi Prem is pictured with the ZNSPCA team, caring for a small dog called Tiger who had injured forelegs.
Many pets were lost and abandoned as the cyclone swept through the area as people and animals fled for their lives.
Bringing hope: Chrissy Walani, from Malawi’s Chikwawa District tends her remaining goats. When we met Chrissy, she was very distressed about the loss of her animals. But thanks to you we brought hope for the future and helped more than 100,000 animals. She said:
“Every time I recount the events of that night I am filled with a lot of sadness. My family lost its only home and 54 animals which we had accumulated over years of hard work and sacrifice. I am really grateful for what World Animal Protection has done for my remaining animals… with time my flock will grow back to what it was”.
Next steps: With your help, we will be working in Malawi and Mozambique to introduce our PrepVet course. This is to enable government and local vets to prepare to protect animals from future disasters. Here, World Animal Protection vet Dr Victor Toroitich presents medical products to Malawian vet Dr Patrick Chikungwa during the launch of Malawi floods disaster in Chikwawa District. We expect vets in both countries will get involved with PrepVet and hundreds of thousands of animals will benefit from their work.
Animals in disasters responsibility and action
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