In Senegal, Veterinarians Without Borders provides training to pastoralists on herd health, flock management, and climate-smart agriculture practices.
In Senegal, the Savannah landscape and climate lend themselves to livestock rearing as a core economic activity in rural areas, representing 5.5% of GDP and contributing to the livelihoods of 30% of households nationwide.
Health challenges related to high levels of human-animal interactions are compounded by human-caused environmental pressures. With the majority of the population in Senegal living in rural areas, the impacts of unsustainable framing practices and climate change is significant.
VWB has only recently begun working with communities in Senegal implementing our first project in the country with our partner Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières through our VETS project.
Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord 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.
With our partner in Senegal, AVSF, the VETS project aims to improve partner capacity to deliver inclusive gender-equitable One Health programming at the community level.
We will be providing training to pastoralists on herd health, flock management, and climate-smart agriculture practices. As well, we will support forest replenishment and better use of animal waste to improve soil fertility and increase crop production.
Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF) is an international NGO which has operated in Senegal since 1991. AVSF has strong roots in the Casamance region, working in livestock production activities in the prairies of the Fatik region, and in the Ferlo savannah.
AVSF strives to help women become more independent by strengthening organizations of women cashew and sesame producers and organizations of women poultry farmers. AVSF also supports agricultural food production and the creation of fairer supply chains (often fair trade or organic) for producers.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you inspiring stories from the field, showcasing the impactful work of our dedicated VETS program volunteers. Meet Dr. Riley Bauman (DVM), an Animal Health Advisor who spent two months in Kenya (April–June 2025), working alongside smallholder dairy farmers and Meru Dairy staff to promote animal health, gender equity, and sustainable livelihoods.
This article explores the persistent threat of anthrax and the critical need for community-led surveillance in preventing zoonotic outbreaks. It highlights how VWB’s One Health approach—through the COHERS program, CAHW training, and gender-responsive outreach—strengthens local capacity to detect and manage neglected diseases, protecting both human and animal health in vulnerable communities.
#VETSVolunteerVoices aims to bring you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. This blog was written by Guy Audet, a Business Development Advisor who supported our VETS program partner, WIPVaC-Apex, in Ghana from March to May 2025.
