TORIT, SOUTH SUDAN, April 29, 2024 – Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amerique du Nord (VWB/VSF) is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant of US $400,000 over two years from the Zoetis Foundation to reinforce its efforts in supporting vulnerable livestock farmers in South Sudan. This funding will be allocated to the project "Strengthening One Health Systems for the Protection of Health and Livelihoods" (1-SHOP).
The 1-SHOP project aims to enhance the resilience of pastoralist communities in Torit County, South Sudan, through a comprehensive One Health approach. Over the course of two years, the project will focus on implementing strategies to help prevent and mitigate the risks of zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) while simultaneously strengthening livelihoods. This includes increasing the use of a One Health approach at the household level, establishing community-based systems for disease prevention and response, and enhancing livestock productivity to bolster livelihoods.
To achieve these objectives, a series of targeted activities will be undertaken, including the establishment of One Health Teams, participatory risk assessments, gender-sensitive awareness campaigns, and the training of community members in livestock management and disease prevention practices.
Speaking at the 1-SHOP launch event in Torit on April 18, 2024, the State Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries, and Tourism, Hon. William Angelo Geri, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Zoetis Foundation and VWB/VSF, emphasizing the project's alignment with national policies and international development goals. He stated, “By protecting animal health, you are helping to end poverty and hunger, and promoting good health and well-being of our people in Eastern Equatoria State.”
The Zoetis Foundation's contribution will play a crucial role in improving food security and building the resilience of 12,274 livestock farmers in South Sudan over the next two years. By empowering communities and strengthening local capacities, the 1-SHOP project aims to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing pastoralist communities in the region.
About VWB/VSF: Using a One Health approach, VWB/VSF collaborates with communities to improve animal health, human health, and environmental sustainability. Operating in Africa and Asia, VWB/VSF provides veterinary and agricultural services, promotes sustainable animal production, and supports natural resource management. VWB/VSF has worked in South Sudan’s Warrap, Jonglei, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, and Eastern Equatoria States since 2013 to improve food security and livelihoods. To learn more about VWB/VSF, please visit: www.vwb.org
About Zoetis Foundation: The Zoetis Foundation supports communities and the people who care for animals, with a specific focus on advancing opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic efforts provide access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and enable thriving livelihoods by funding programs that help veterinary practices and farmers adopt sustainable business practices. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit: www.zoetisfoundation.org
Media Contact:
Tanja Kisslinger
VWB/VSF North America
tanja@vwb.org / +1 613 413 5776
