Niger: one million head of cattle to be vaccinated in Agadez area
21-12-2010 News Release 10/233
Niamey (ICRC) – Nearly a million head of cattle will be vaccinated in the Agadez area, in northern Niger, as part of a vast campaign conducted by the country's ministry of animal resources with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This operation supports the government's efforts to ease the consequences of the serious crisis in food production and livestock raising in the country this year.
The vaccination campaign began on 5 December in Dabaga, Tchirozérine and Gougaram. It will continue in January 2011 in Iférouane, Timia, Tabelot, Agadez, Ingall and Dannet. Because of the security situation and clashes in the area, these communities have not benefited from veterinary care programmes for several years.
The campaign, carried out in close cooperation with the technical services of the ministry of animal resources and the local authorities, aims to immunize livestock against such diseases as rinderpest, bovine contagious pleuropneumonia, pasteurellosis and sheep pox, and to treat animals for parasites.
"This vaccination campaign is vitally important for stockbreeders in the Aïr region, because it has been years since their animals were vaccinated," said Dragana Rankovic, ICRC economic-security coordinator in Niger and Mali. "Livestock protected against disease can cope better with drought and its consequences. In addition, there is no charge for the vaccinations."
Between May and July 2010, nearly 60,000 head of cattle in the area were treated for disease or freed of parasites. In addition, 20,000 drought-weakened small ruminants were bought at low prices from stockbreeders and slaughtered. The meat was then distributed to needy people.
The ICRC is an independent, neutral and impartial organization. It is one of the few international humanitarian organizations working in northern Niger. In close cooperation with the Red Cross Society of Niger, it endeavours to help people suffering the effects of armed conflict and other violence.
For further information, please contact:
Ziad Abu Laban, ICRC Niamey, tel: +227 97 45 43 82
Saadatou Malam Barmou, ICRC Niamey, tel: +227 96 59 20 98
