Our 1-SHOP program in Torit County, South Sudan is 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)
Goal: Enhance the resilience of pastoralist communities against animal diseases, including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, while strengthening livelihoods via sustainable livestock practices.
Target Groups: Pastoralist communities, women, and Community Animal Health Workers.
Where: Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan
Duration: March 2024 - March 2026 (2 years)
🔗 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 Are Doing
From March 2024 to March 2026, the 1-SHOP program is focused on building the resilience of pastoralist communities in Torit County against animal diseases, including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our key objectives are to:
Key Activities
Establishing One Health Teams (OHTs): Four OHTs will be formed to identify zoonotic disease risks, promote community awareness, and develop community action plans to mitigate these risks.
Participatory Risk Assessments: Conducting assessments in four payams to identify key animal health issues, zoonotic disease risks, and antimicrobial use practices, with a focus on generating actionable insights for the community.
Gender-Sensitive Awareness Campaigns: Implementing campaigns to raise awareness of zoonotic diseases and AMR risks, using community meetings, radio spots, and educational materials.
Training Women in Livestock Product Management: Training 80 women leaders in the safe handling, processing, and preservation of livestock products, as well as WASH practices, to reduce zoonotic and food-borne disease risks.
Increasing Livestock Management Capacity: Training 400 goat recipients on best practices in livestock management, zoonotic disease prevention, and AMR reduction through farmer field schools.
Community-Based Surveillance Systems: Developing and testing a community-based surveillance system to enhance early detection and response to zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Infrastructure Investments: Co-designing and rehabilitating community infrastructure to support disease prevention, such as slaughterhouses and water points.
Strengthening CAHWs: Training, mentoring, and equipping 20 CAHWs to deliver animal health services, and facilitating the establishment of a CAHW association to ensure long-term service delivery.
Goat Donation Scheme: Launching a goat donation program in four payams, using a revolving fund model to support vulnerable households and promote sustainable livestock practices.
Project Targets
Building on Past Success: Phase 1 Highlights
The infographic above presents the overall program impact and achievements of our Building Livelihood Resilience for Income Security and Dignified Life project which ran from March 2023 to March 2024 in South Sudan and laid the groundwork for the current 1-SHOP initiative. (Click here to download or enlarge the infographic.)
Implemented in Torit County with generous support by the Zoetis Foundation, this year-long project empowered grassroots communities by: enhancing farmer access to livestock extension services; increasing livestock productivity; and strengthening community capacity to prevent zoonotic disease transmission.
For more information, our South Sudan Program Impact Report details the significant impact and achievements from this first phase.
Sustainability
The 1-SHOP program aims to establish sustainable community-based systems that are integrated with national strategies in South Sudan. By training local actors, enhancing community infrastructure, and building strong local partnerships, the project ensures long-term impact and resilience.
Human Rights
The project adopts a rights-based approach, empowering women and marginalized groups to take active roles in One Health activities. By addressing gender inequalities and improving access to resources, 1-SHOP promotes health equity and community well-being.
Gender Equality
The 1-SHOP program integrates gender-responsive strategies across all activities, ensuring that women are actively involved in decision-making and benefit equitably from project interventions. The program includes specific training and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing gender disparities in livestock management and disease prevention.
Environmental Sustainability
The project promotes sustainable livestock practices and environmental conservation, including climate-resilient animal husbandry techniques and community-based infrastructure investments that reduce zoonotic disease risks and support long-term environmental health.
Previous work in South Sudan:
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.
This article explores the diverse and often underrecognized roles of veterinarians within a One Health framework, highlighting how their work in animal health, food safety, wildlife conservation, and climate adaptation strengthens communities, safeguards ecosystems, and supports global health resilience.
This article examines the vital role of veterinarians in immunization and disease prevention, highlighting how VWB’s One Health approach — through vaccination campaigns, CAHW training, and real-time disease surveillance — protects public health, supports farmer livelihoods, and strengthens animal health systems in vulnerable communities.
In remote areas, like the far North, dog bites are more prevalent. This Dog Bite Prevention Week, we're raising awareness about how reading dog body language and improving access to veterinary care can reduce bites—and prevent the spread of diseases like rabies.
