John Gaaniko is the Country Director, South Sudan at Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord.
John has been the Country Director for South Sudan since January 2022. He is a South Sudanese national, and development professional with over 17 years of experience working with USAID, FAO, UNOPS, and UNHCR supporting humanitarian and development programs. John has extensive experience in project design and management and is expert in public policy and development.
Prior to his appointment as the country director in 2022, he worked as a program management specialist for USAID/South Sudan for 10 years. He also worked for USAID/Burundi as a fellow in 2020 to support USAID's mission in setting up office systems and policies.
He is known for his work in promoting innovations in agriculture to enhance the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers, public policy development, and advocacy for economic empowerment of girls, women, and youth through community-driven development approach.
John graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2018 with a Master Degree (MSc.) in international development; in 2023, he completed a second Master degree program in Public Health from the University of South Wales (UK). In addition, he has a bachelor degree in business administration from Cambridge International College (UK). John speaks French and English. He likes cooking and watching animal movies.
This blog shares firsthand accounts from VWB’s earthquake response in Myanmar, highlighting how local partners are delivering urgent care to people and animals alike, and demonstrating the impact of a locally led, One Health approach in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
This article explores the critical importance of integrating animal welfare into disaster preparedness, drawing on current research, offering practical strategies, and highlighting how VWB’s One Health initiatives build resilience by strengthening animal health systems and safeguarding livelihoods before and after disasters strike.
This article explores how VWB’s goat farming and cheese-making initiative in Ukraine supported rural families in rebuilding livelihoods during conflict—highlighting sustainable agriculture, community-led training, and a replicable model for economic resilience.
