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 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.
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.
In recognition of International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, VWB reflects on how healthy rangelands, community-led animal health systems, and pastoralist knowledge help sustain resilience across working landscapes worldwide.
