Our 1-SHOP program (2024-2026) focused on building the resilience of pastoralist communities against animal diseases, including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.
Strengthening One Health Systems for the Protection of Health and Livelihoods (1-SHOP)
Status: Completed (1-SHOP ran from March 2024 through March 2026)
Goal: Enhance the resilience of pastoralist communities against animal diseases, including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, while strengthening livelihoods.
Where: Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan
🔗 Download the 1-SHOP Project Brief (PDF)
The Situation
South Sudan faces significant challenges, with 62% of the population experiencing acute food insecurity, compounded by climate change, conflict, and a lack of basic services. The country's pastoralist communities, particularly in Torit County, rely heavily on livestock for their livelihoods but are highly vulnerable to animal diseases, zoonotic disease outbreaks, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These issues are exacerbated by weak veterinary services, poor animal husbandry practices, and limited access to livestock extension services, especially for women.
What We Achieved
From March 2024 to March 2026, the 1-SHOP project worked alongside pastoralist communities, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), healthcare workers, and government partners to strengthen animal health systems, improve disease prevention, and build more resilient livestock-based livelihoods in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State.
Using a One Health approach, the project strengthened local capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to animal and public health threats while expanding access to veterinary services and livelihood opportunities.
Key results include:
By investing in local leadership, community-based animal health systems, and sustainable livestock management practices, 1-SHOP helped strengthen community resilience and create lasting systems that continue to support animal health, livelihoods, and public health beyond the life of the project.
Click the infographic to download / enlarge it.
Previous Work in South Sudan:
Veterinarians Without Borders North America couldn't do the work we do without your support. Whether it's a financial donation or a donation of your time, by improving the health of animals you will be working to improve the health and quality of life for people throughout the world.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories from the field shared by passionate VETS program volunteers. Meet Daniel MacIsaac, a Communications Advisor who spent six months in Cambodia (September 2025–March 2026) with our local partner, AVSF Cambodia, helping strengthen communications systems, build staff capacity, and support the organization in telling the stories behind its work.
In this edition of Ask an Expert, we spoke with Yana Zhambekova, Ukraine Country Director at Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB), about the realities facing rural communities, livestock keepers, and veterinarians across Ukraine today.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Donald Hilborn, an Agricultural Advisor from Ontario who recently completed his third VETS placement in Kenya (March–April 2026) with our local partner, Meru Dairy, supporting small-scale dairy farmers in building more sustainable and resilient feeding systems.
