Empowering Livestock Keepers: How and why VWB/VSF is combating Antimicrobial Resistance
VWB/VSF is actively working to mitigate the risks associated with AMR. Our primary focus is on training Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs).
South Sudan is facing a state of emergency around food security and livelihoods due to longstanding violent political conflicts and the effects of climate change that are causing both increased flooding and severe dry periods.
WHO WE'RE HELPING
The joy following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after 21 years of civil war, was short-lived. Less than a year and a half later, the resource-rich country was plunged into a brutal civil war in December 2013, during which almost 400,000 lives were lost. Political unrest persists today.
Coupled with the devastating impacts of civil war, which has caused mass displacement of people within the country, there has been a significant depletion of available natural food resources due to environmental conditions. This has resulted in South Sudan facing a state of emergency around food security. In fact, according to the IPC, an estimated 62% of the nation's population is facing acute food insecurity.
Today, South Sudan is one of the world’s poorest countries with 8 million people, or two-thirds of the population, dependent on humanitarian aid. The country is highly vulnerable to climate change and climate-related events such as flooding, droughts, dry spells, pests and disease incidences which have become more frequent and unpredictable.
From the 2022-2023 Annual Report:
South Sudan is facing a state of emergency around food security and livelihoods due to longstanding violent political conflicts and the effects of climate change that are causing both increased flooding and severe dry periods. With the generous support of Global Affairs Canada, VWB/VSF is helping to implement programs that are supporting the food and, subsequently, the financial security of people living in the region.
- 3,270 Beneficiaries helped in South Sudan
- 41,103 Animals vaccinated
- 100 Community animal health workers trained
- 10 Edible insects training sessions
- 200 Edible insects training beneficiaries
WHO WE'RE HELPING
In light of the ongoing challenges faced by the people of South Sudan, Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Canada (VWB/VSF) is working to implement more effective and strategic interventions aimed at increasing coping capacities, reducing vulnerabilities, and building resilience, nationwide.
In South Sudan, VWB/VSF's program is enhancing livestock farmers' food security and livelihood resilience, specifically in Torit County of Eastern Equatoria State (South Sudan). In these regions, traditional systems of producing livestock, such as goats, cows, and camels, and poultry (chicken), contribute significantly to local communities' socioeconomic well-being and food security. In addition to serving as an essential source of income, farm animals also offer significant non-pecuniary benefits, such as the provision of manure, source of medium-term savings, insurance against crop loss, as well as to perform social and cultural functions.
Currently, our team is:
- Training farmers on modern goat and chicken rearing practices.
- Training farmers on fodder and animal feed production using locally available resources.
- Helping to distribute goats (150) and chickens (800) to 350 households.
- Strengthening the capacity of Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs).
- Conducting training on common zoonotic diseases for CAHWs and other key stakeholders.
- Conducting livestock treatment and vaccination campaigns for 5,250 livestock.
- Developing a co-ordinated disease surveillance and response preparedness plan between the community, Payam, and County animal, human, and environmental workers and agencies.
We hope that strengthening self-sufficiency will reduce the need for humanitarian interventions while enabling recovery, rehabilitation, and return.
In South Sudan, we're currently working with:
- Vulnerable women, men, boys, and girls in the community
- Community Animal Health Workers
- Community Health Workers
- Relief and Rehabilitation Commission at the State and County level
- Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
- Ministry of Health
- County Department of Livestock and County Department of Health
PAST PROJECTS: The FIT Project
In South Sudan, VWB/ VSF is implemented the Edible Insects Farming for Improved Nutrition and Incomes in Jonglei State and Easter Equatoria State. We achieved this through generous funding from Global Affairs Canada, via the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT).
The project specifically sought to mitigate the effects of malnutrition and gender-related challenges in South Sudan through the production and marketing of edible insects.
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
VWB/VSF Canada is working closely with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and most specifically with the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other main central government institutions.
In addition to these institutions, we are working with local government, women organizations, civil society organizations and community structures in the states to advocate for policies, programs and activities that support community resilience and animal health, and climate resilience programs in the country.
We participate in technical working group meetings that support food security and livelihood and livestock and work collaboratively with development partners and donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the EU, UNDP, FAO, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, ILO and other UN Organizations.
Your Support Means Everything
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.
Our on-the-ground team in South Sudan
John Gaaniko, Country Director
John Gaaniko is the Country Director for South Sudan. He previously served as a Program Management Specialist for USAID/South Sudan for ten years. John is a Development Professional and dedicated Project Manager with more than 8 years of work experience. He joined USAID/South Sudan in 2012 as a Program Management Specialist. He has prior experience working for UN Agencies in South Sudan, including UNHCR, UNOPS, and FAO for seven years before joining USAID. John has a Master of Science (MSc.),International Development, from University of Birmingham, UK.
Taban Kaps Robert, Program Manager
Taban Kaps Robert joined VWB-VSF Canada as a Program Manager on January 17, 2022. Prior to joining VWB-VSF Canada, he worked for Save the Children International as a Program Manager for two years. He also worked as a Program Manager for VSF Germany between 2019-2020. Prior to joining VSF Germany, he worked as Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Coordinator and Team Leader between 2012 and 2017. He holds a Master of Science in Food Security and Development from the University of Reading in the UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Gulu University in Uganda.
Thon Abraham Aluong, Livestock Emergency Response Officer
Thon Abraham Aluong joined VWB-VSF Canada as a Livestock Emergency Response Officer in August 2021. He has over 5 years of experience in animal health & production, beekeeping management, fisheries, fish feeding and ponds management and food security and livelihood (FSL) techniques, principles, standards and disease identification and preventive measures.
Previously he worked as a livestock officer for the Green Belt Initiative (GBI) in Juba for 3 years. He was the Extension worker for VSF Germany between 2016 and 2017 before joining the GBI in Juba. He holds a Master of Science in Animal Health from the University of Juba and a Bachelor of Science in animal production.
Deng John Atem, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Deng John Atem joined VWB-VSF Canada as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for VSF Canada in May 2021. Prior to joining VSF, he worked for Action Against Hunger (ACF) USA as a Food Security and Livelihoods Program Officer between 2020 and 2021. He also served as a Forestry Officer for Relief International between 2016 and 2017.
Deng holds a Bachelor of Environment and Natural Resources Management from Ndejje University in Uganda and a Diploma in Natural Resources Management from the University of Juba, South Sudan.
Rosemary Moria, Administration and Finance Officer
Rosemary Moria Ephraim joined VWB-VSF Canada in South Sudan as the Administration and Finance Officer in 2016.
Previously, she served as Administration and Finance Assistant for Pact Sudan between 2014 and 2015.
Rosemary holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Ndejje University in Uganda.
