In Melut, Upper Nile, animal herding is a way of life.
It puts food on the table, ensures children can go to school and families can sustain themselves, especially during the long rainy season.
Last week, hope blossomed among livestock owners and local authorities alike when the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) handed over a newly built veterinary clinic here.
“We badly needed this facility because we have been overrun with complaints from local herders and community members about the lack of treatment available for sick animals,” said County Commissioner Deng Agok, who received the official hand over from the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Protection, Transition and Reintegration section.
“The majority of people earn their livelihoods from breeding animals and the ongoing floods have made it very, very difficult for them since many herds have contracted diseases,” continued Mr. Agok.
The County Commissioner’s views were supported by community leader Stephen Dhieu Dau.
“Our lives depend on the trade that healthy animals bring in and this gesture from UNMISS will go a long way in securing our income,” said Mr. Dau.
For his part, Bodhok Ayang Aney Kur, Governor of Upper Nile, while appreciating UNMISS, reiterated his commitment to supply the clinic with medicines and vaccinations.
“Our partners at UNMISS have done their job and now its our turn,” stated Governor Kur. “I have already been in touch with counterparts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Health in Juba to purchase necessary equipment, medicines and vaccinations and our veterinarians will soon be able to start treating livestock.”
The construction of the clinic, which was actioned by the UN Peacekeeping misison under its Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) programme that addresses urgent public needs by funding low-cost, small-scale projects, was overseen by local implementing partner, Mentor Initiative Organization.
Apart from providing immediate relief to livestock owners, the facility is also expected to promote greater social cohesion among communities in Melut.
“Our primary goals at UNMISS are to protect civilians and help bring a durable peace across South Sudan. We hope the clinic will promote peaceful coexistence in Melut and nearby villages, providing a space for livestock owners to congregate, ensure their animals are in good health and support each other,” said Leda Limann, Head of the mission’s Field Office in Malakal.
Share on Facebook «||»
Share on Twitter «||»
Share on Reddit «||»
Share on LinkedIn
Read Related News On TDPel Media
Advertisement
Pet Owners Resorting to Human Painkillers Amid Financial Constraints, Raising Alarms Among Veterinary Experts: A recent study highlights the growing trend of pet owners administering human painkillers to their animals, putting pets at risk and potentially causing harm. With...
Ninth Defendant Convicted of Federal Conspiracy Against Rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) Offenses for 2020 Washington, D.C., Clinic Invasion and Blockade: A Massachusetts woman was found guilty today of federal civil rights conspiracy and violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act)....
Drought relief program expanded for Manitoba livestock producers under AgriRecovery framework: The Canada and Manitoba governments are continuing to support livestock producers by expanding the eligibility of allowable expenses of the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought...
UNMISS holds capacity-building workshop on fully reintegrating new returnees in Kodok: Since political violence has greatly reduced in South Sudan, many people who had sought sanctuary in their northern neighbor, Sudan, have started returning to their...
Innovative agricultural insurance product to strengthen Manitoba forage and livestock sectors: The Canada and Manitoba governments are investing $253,600 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) to develop a new usage-based insurance (UBI) product, in collaboration with...
Chinese peacekeepers from UNMISS begin rehabilitating road connecting Tonj and Romich: When South Sudan declared independence from its northern neighbor, Sudan, becoming the world’s newest nation, its infrastructure, especially roads, was severely underdeveloped. Even today, travelling...
More than 30 police officers in Gogrial East trained as UNMISS peers hailed for their efforts: With sexual and other gender-based kinds of violence being all too common in South Sudan, teaching how to deal with these harmful practices was a...
FG establishes NAITS to stop livestock rustling and enhance business: In an effort to solve the issues plaguing the livestock industry, the Federal Government has implemented the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) to...
Experts seek policies on climate change impact on livestock production: By Tosin Kolade The Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) has called for deliberate measures and policies to address the negative impacts of climate change...
Breaking: World Bank and Nigerian Government Empower Female Livestock Farmers and Small-Scale Farmers to Boost Productivity: In a significant move towards empowering women in agriculture and ensuring food security, the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project has announced...