ACTIVITY REPORT 2013 VETERINAIRES SANS FRONTIERES BELGIUM belgium

Mali Niger

Burkina Faso

South sudan

uganda kenya Rwanda DR Congo

HDI 17 Belgium The calculation of the human 145 Kenya We would like to dedicate this activity development index of the report to Almoustapha Moumouni, 161 Uganda United Nations is based on who died unexpectedly in January life expectancy, education and 167 Rwanda 2014. Almoustapha was in charge of income by country. The 187 182 Mali our development programmes in Niger, countries are ranked in a list: a job he fulfilled with great dedication. 183 Burkina Faso the lower a country is on the We wish his family, friends and close list, the harder the living condi- 186 DR Congo colleagues strength and courage. tions of its population. 187 Niger

* South Sudan (The HDI of South Sudan is not yet avail- able since the country’s independence on 9th July 2011) Preface

I write this in Nairobi, Kenya. In a small shop- after day. The conditions are difficult. Luckily, ping mall, because the larger ones are still no-go everyone is highly motivated. That level of mo- areas. No doubt the drama of September 2013 tivation and satisfaction is present among the is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Armed men team as a whole. Indeed, a survey of personnel from Al-Shabaab took control of the popular in Belgium and Africa in mid 2013 revealed that Westgate shopping mall for four days, during everyone felt highly involved in what the orga- which 72 people died and more than 200 were nisation does. wounded. Even big cities like Nairobi appear to be no longer safe. But let’s concentrate on our To go a little further back in time, at the be- real field of work… ginning of 2013 we translated the ideas that had already been around for a few years into a I have just returned from a visit to our develop- comprehensive strategic plan: “Horizon 2025”. ment programmes in Garissa county. This area This document sets our strategic priorities and is home to Dabaab, one of the biggest refugee offers a framework for the work of Vétérinaires bracing the “International Year of Family Far- camps in the world. We don’t work in the camp, Sans Frontières Belgium, from 2015 to 2025. ming” in order to support small-scale family but with the local communities dotted around This process of reflection has already helped farmers worldwide. This year we are planning the region. We help them in drawing up plans us formulate a new three-year programme advocacy actions, a visit to the field with our to build their resilience to the extremes of cli- for the Belgian government. An effort which brand new ambassadors and events across Bel- mate change. The villagers take all the preven- was rewarded, because in early 2014 we re- gium. We will also keep you updated through tive measures they can, such as vaccinating their ceived definitive administrative approval of the our website, newsletters and social media. With herds and storing hay. They also collaborate programme, with the highest appreciation. In any luck we will bump into each other at one with the local government to set up their own combination with a number of other long-term of our activities! contingency plans, so that they can appeal to programmes, this guarantees the organisation a that government for emergency aid following firm foundation. Dear friends, sympathisers, partners, volunteers, droughts and other disasters. donors… I would like to thank you and the Evidence that we are on the right track also whole team at Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Bel- In the summer of 2013 I also visited our comes in the form of the many requests for gium for the things that you made possible in projects in Central Africa, in the DR Congo cooperation we receive from donors and fel- 2013. With your solidarity, motivation and hard and Rwanda. The basic idea of these projects low NGOs, certainly in West Africa. In this re- work we will keep building towards a better is simple: we donate three rabbits to a family, gion the year 2013 will go down in the records world. and thanks to these animals they can climb out as a year in which many programme proposals of poverty. It’s true, but there is more to it than were made by our teams. Let us hope they lead Happy reading! that. The rabbits serve as a catalyst to lift the to good results in 2014. poorest people among us out of the vicious Joep van Mierlo circle of hunger and poverty. These animals In Belgium we focus on communication and Director of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières help families by giving them a positive view of awareness raising, alongside fundraising among Belgium the future, putting them in touch with people the Belgian population. We need private dona- who have already escaped the vicious circle and tions to help us carry out our activities in the actually giving them the opportunity to make South: they are essential in securing the co- that tiny bit of extra income that allows them to financing we need for our projects. They are realise their dreams. When successful, families also a firm expression of our supporters’ soli- can use the money they earn from selling the darity with the South. rabbits to buy other animals such as goats, pigs, or even cows. This process gives them the Aside from the development programmes and entrepreneurial spirit they need, as well as the their funding we have worked hard to improve means to send their children to school and to our internal organisation. We have radically the doctor. Not only does it help the family, but reviewed the quality control, personnel policy it also helps the wider community around them. and financing procedures, bringing us up to date Index And all thanks to three rabbits? Yes, but above with changes in the rapidly evolving sector and all through thorough training and coaching! with its administrative requirements. Preface p 1 Vision & Mission p 2-3 Every time I visit the field I am reminded that We are confident about our future, as are the working with the world’s poorest people is no many families we support. We know that our Themes p 4-7 easy task. I have a huge amount of respect for organisation has added value, and this year we Countries p 8-16 our colleagues and local partners, who go out aim once again to convince our donors and into the field and do life-changing work, day supporters of precisely that fact. We are em- The financial report will be available on the website www.vsf-belgium.org and can be obtained on request from [email protected] or +32 (0)2 5390989

1 Vision & Mission Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium in a few words

vision all parties concerned in complete transparency. our operations are transparent and subject to the sector’s ethical and quality standards. Sustainable partnerships Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium believes Healthy in the strength and initiatives taken by people in developing countries. Therefore, we animals, work together with local organisations and governments, local vets and livestock keepers healthy in Africa. We enter into sustainable partnerships The expertise of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières with local associations, taking into account Belgium is highly appreciated at local, national people mutual trust, respect, responsibility, dialogue, and international levels. sharing of experiences and know-how. Target group Mission Good governance In the South we work with pastoralists, agro- Empower disadvantaged livestock dependent Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium is constantly pastoralists and livestock keepers in urban areas communities (in the South) to improve their working to apply the principles of good who practice family farming. In the North we well-being. governance. The organisation respects the law, focus our efforts on students and professionals human rights, gender equality, the environment, in the agricultural sector, policymakers and Values good practice (both indigenous and non- consumers. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium gives im- indigenous), animal welfare and the culture portance to respect, transparency and sustai- of the countries in which we are active. Since nability. The organisation believes in a world in 2010, the NGO has gradually decentralised the which people, animals and nature live together stewardship of its programmes to its regional in perfect harmony, as a driver for sustainable and national offices and its partners, and development. Every person has the right to live updated the tools for programme management, a dignified life in accordance with his/her choices, financial management and human resources Tim © Dirven traditions or culture. Vétérinaires Sans Frontiè- management. This has ensured that we have res Belgium justifies its decisions and actions for updated our procedural manual. Furthermore,

Social value Animals: Livestock is part of the family: every animal has a name and the farmer more than just knows their pedigree. Meat, blood and milk from the animals play an meat or milk important role in family, social and religious celebrations. Livestock is often entrusted to others, in order to distribute risks more evenly whilst promoting mutual solidarity. Livestock also serve as dowries at weddings or else may be given as presents.

Household Food Cattle provide transport and draught Milk, eggs and meat are an power. Excrement and urine are used Income important source of protein. In By selling or trading livestock or animal as fertiliser, fuel, building materials, East Africa, livestock keepers drink products, farmers can afford a balanced beauty products, and insect-repelling the blood of cows in times of diet, clothing, education and healthcare. and disinfecting agents. Hides are used crisis, sometimes blending it with The animal is a two- or four-legged to make clothing, sandals and mattresses milk. savings bank and insurance policy, and as a building material. which can be converted into cash quickly whenever the need is greatest.

2 © Martin Godfroid © Gautier Houba © Gautier Houba

3 “Over one billion people who live in chronic hunger and poverty depend on cows, buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry to provide essential nutrition and livelihoods.” “Livestock for the Future”, ELIDEV, the EU experts’ group on livestock matters in developing countries

Themes Healthy animals

Veterinary healthcare in the ex- to diagnose and treat diseases, supplementing with the local population. pansive rural regions of the South traditional knowledge with new insights. Follo- is often inadequate to ensure the wing the course, they receive a rucksack with Quality feed optimum health of the herds, for various veterinary materials and medicines with which Livestock are stronger, healthier and more pro- reasons. Therefore it is essential in livestock they can treat their community’s animals. They ductive when they receive sufficient, high-quali- keeping that an integrated network of private receive regular refresher courses in order ty feed. Therefore Vétérinaires Sans Frontières veterinarians, local animal health workers and to anchor and expand their knowledge. Like Belgium organises participatory courses on national and local governmental bodies is de- the private vets, they are remunerated by the feed and strategic nutritional supplements that veloped. livestock keepers for their services, more often are available locally. In this way, livestock keepers in kind than in cash. can learn through practice, among other things, Farmer seeks vet how to grow and store feed that is higher in Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium encou- Knowledge is power proteins. Here too, they supplement their tradi- rages private vets to offer their services in re- The community animal health workers play tional knowledge with new techniques. mote areas. The NGO and its partners support an important role in raising awareness among these private vets with training and materials. other livestock keepers of preventive and Feed banks Livestock keepers who require the services of a curative animal care, welfare, the quality of In order to ensure adequate feed throughout vet have to pay for them in order to ensure the medicines and the disadvantages of inbreeding. the year, livestock keepers store part of their continuity of the service. They take part in large-scale (government) harvest or else buy feed as a group when prices vaccination campaigns and early warning are low. They store these stocks in feed banks Community animal health workers systems for drought, flooding and epidemics so that, in times of scarcity due to long-term Even with private vets setting up in the rural which benefit the whole region. drought, they may have feed for their herds. areas, they cannot deal with the numerous vil- The farmers can buy feed at a reasonable price, lages on their own. Therefore Vétérinaires Sans Strengthening government capa- especially when market prices shoot up during Frontières Belgium trains livestock keepers to city the dry season. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Bel- become community animal health workers Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium also gium trains local committees to manage these under the supervision of a local veterinarian strengthens, when requested, the capacities of stocks, which also often include grain for their and/or the government. The villagers themsel- local and national governmental bodies res- own consumption and for agricultural activities. ves decide who takes the courses, which last ponsible for livestock farming in the developing from a couple of weeks to several months. The country, to enable them to detect disease epi- community animal health workers learn how demics early and counter them in collaboration

4 © Tim © Dirven

Healthy people By improving livestock health and animal products, livestock keepers often have They start up - individually or as a group - initia- optimising animal production, Vé- to cover large distances on foot. Therefore tives which generate extra income or lend mo- térinaires Sans Frontières Belgium Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium guides ney when the need is the greatest. The livestock fights hunger and poverty. In Sub-Saharan the local population in setting up and mana- keepers are trained in microcredits and organi- Africa, 80% of the population lives off livestock ging strategically-located livestock markets. sational management. production. Animals are therefore crucial to In some areas, farmers can supply their stock the food security of disadvantaged livestock- to adapted slaughterhouses. They are trained Equal opportunities keeping families. in trading techniques so that they can better One of the essential goals in sustainable estimate the financial value of their livestock. development and the fight against poverty is that Small but important women be given the opportunity to improve Goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, rabbits and guinea Dairy production their situations. In many African countries the pigs play a significant role in the local food sup- By improving dairy hygiene, partly through trai- roles of men and women are often strictly ply and economy of many African countries. ning, less milk is lost during the various stages defined, even when it comes to rearing livestock. The animals can be kept easily and with few of the production process, so livestock keepers For example, a woman may be allowed to own resources. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium can sell more milk to the cooperatives, which certain types of animal, but only use others. provides small livestock to families, often run by check, process and market the product. They Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium works women, in fragile areas and situations. Once the broaden the range of high-quality dairy pro- towards equal opportunities for all. We pay animals have bred, the families donate several of ducts, e.g. yoghurt and cheese. The employees particular attention to women and socially them to other families in turn. This helps build of the dairy cooperatives learn, through techni- vulnerable groups by improving their worth a local solidarity network. They are trained in cal and simple accounting courses, to generate and economic independence through livestock production techniques and animal husbandry and manage direct revenues. keeping, using means such as microcredit, and learn how to use the manure for their training and the provision of small livestock. kitchen gardens and to use garden leftovers Micro-credits to feed the animals. In doing so, they combine Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium promotes traditional knowledge with new and appropriate the proper management of village community techniques. banks, which grant small loans to their mem- bers. All members, including many women, con- Selling livestock tribute a weekly amount to this savings bank In order to be able to sell their livestock and and decide jointly what is done with the money.

5 © Tim © Dirven Healthy environment Long droughts and devastating with the support of Vétérinaires Sans Fron- not uncommon. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières downpours, both consequences tières Belgium. The communities also prepare Belgium therefore encourages representatives of climate change, increasingly fire-breaks to prevent fires from destroying of rival communities to reach agreements ravage the African continent. Managing water hundreds of hectares of grassland. In practical on the areas in which the various herds can and grassland sustainably and peacefully terms this involves the villagers hacking away a graze and water. In addition, Vétérinaires enables the livestock keepers to build their path that is 20 metres wide and several kilome- Sans Frontières Belgium supports local land resilience to the extremes of the climate and tres long that prevents the fire from spreading. committees that resolve conflicts between limits their potentially negative impact on the The villagers also maintain grassland areas, for livestock keepers and crop farmers over the environment. example by digging structures in a half-moon use of fields and the large-scale seasonal cattle shape, in which the rainwater stands for longer, migration. They create corridors together and Water and grassland and by replanting grasses and trees which coun- agree when harvests are to be gathered, so that In order to safeguard the sustainable manage- teract soil erosion. herds do not damage forests and agricultural ment of natural resources, especially during land. To this end they use traditional processes, the dry season when water and grasslands are Conflict management complemented by new insights and techniques. scarce, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium Peace is essential for the sustainable supports local water and grazing committees. development of local communities, livestock These committees monitor livestock keepers’ trade and economy and for the smooth running compliance with the agreements on grazing and of all of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium’s watering. They manage the maintenance of wa- activities. In areas where water and grasslands ter points above and below ground which are are scarce, rival communities fight over feed and identified and built by the villagers themselves, water for their livestock. Armed cattle raids are

Sustainable partnerships

Local partner Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium evolves from on the loyal support of countless donors and organisations ‘implementer’ to ‘facilitator’ of development. Thus, the help of dozens of volunteers. It is thanks to Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium the NGO collaborates with a partner that will the donors and the support provided by many works closely with local organisations to implement eventually be able to operate independently. sympathisers that livestock keepers in Africa are its programmes in Africa. In order to fulfil its able to make a decent living. mission in a lasting, effective and efficient way, Donors and volunteers Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium helps its local Everyone who supports the mission of Vétéri- partners strengthen their capacities. As the partner naires Sans Frontières Belgium deserves a spe- organisations develop greater autonomy, the role of cial thank you. Every year the organisation relies

6 Awarness-raising, education and advocacy

It is essential that European society organised film debates and lectures with our Livestock and climate change: the key-role of contributes towards building a fairer partners from Mali, Rwanda, Niger and Kenya. small-scale livestock farming world, in which food is sustainably Since September 2013 we have been working Donor: European Commission produced and consumed around the world. in Flanders with the International Association Duration: 3 years (since 2011) Any support provided for family farmers in of students in Agricultural and related Sciences Total budget: € 721,500 Africa calls for positive action in Belgium and (IAAS). With this international student associa- Consortium led by AVSF (France): SIVTRO Europe. tion we organise activities and develop tools for (Italy), Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium, students who will later be working in the areas VSF-cz (Czech Republic) Sustainable and conscious con- of agriculture and food production. sumption Development of a balanced understanding Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium uses The next generation of farmers and vets is im- amongst livestock professionals and consu- awareness-raising actions to reach Belgian con- portant, but Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Bel- mers on the production and consumption sumers, whose food choices have a significant gium is also concerned with the present gene- modes in the North (REGARDEP) effect on agricultural production. We defend ration of professionals. Several Belgian livestock Donor: DGD family farming and argue for better quality keepers and vets had the privilege of meeting Duration: 3 years (since 2011) meat, locally produced, with respect for ani- their Rwandan and Nigerien partners when Total budget: € 299,299 mals, human beings and environment. After all, they visited Belgium. the behavioural patterns of consumers in the Students for sustainable agriculture (S4SA) North affect the South. Last year, Vétérinaires Advocacy Donor: Flanders International Cooperation Sans Frontières Belgium organised debates and In 2013 Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium Agency (VAIS) showings of films throughout Belgium, as well as and its partners left their mark on a number of Duration: 3 years (since 2013) two graffiti campaigns in Brussels. In the sum- European policy documents that deal with the Total budget: € 207,650 mer months we published a full page advert in importance of and the challenges facing family the Belgian newspaper De Standaard, and only farmers in the South. The NGO also organised just missed out on the “De Standaard Solidarity a conference on small-scale livestock farming Prize”. Our international photographic exhibi- and climate change, which involved various tion on livestock keeping and climate change partners and European Parliament members reached several parts of the country. On World who all advocate family farming in the North Milk Day we were in Brussels again, where the and South. famous statue of Manneken Pis was peeing milk to mark the occasion. Or you might have en- “I heard European farmers who have an open countered Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium mind, who look across the border and join together at Expovet in Ghent, the open day for the chil- in search of solutions to problems. People are dren’s farm in Wilrijk, the be-troplive symposium clearly aware that European policy also has an in Brussels, or Vétérinexpo in Ciney? enormous impact outside the EU.” Amadou Barré, secretary of the Nigerien NGO Karkara, Move for Africa a partner organisation of Vétérinaires Sans In 2013 Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium Frontières Belgium took secondary school pupils to Africa for the first time, as part of the Move for Africa cam- Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium also at- paign run by the Belgian newspaper La Libre tempts to get food sovereignty and small-scale Belgique. The pupils work for the organisation livestock farming on the political agenda in other before and after their trip. In this way, 17 pupils ways. To this end the organisation cooperates from the Charles Rogier Royal State Secon- with various NGOs in the Coalition Against dary School in Liège took part in our activities Hunger. At the European level the organisation in Rwanda. Another class will travel to Rwanda is active in VSF Europe, which was extended to in 2014, this time from Dinant and under the VSF International in 2013, with the aim of also name of Move with Africa. The preparations for expanding cooperation with sister organisations this trip started in 2013 and involved a training outside Europe. weekend and several meetings. The NGO is also active in the governing bo- Students and professionals dies of the Belgian be-troplive network and the Music for Life 2013 In 2013 Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium or- international coalition of lobbying organisations In 2013 Studio Brussels, a Dutch-speaking ganised all kinds of lectures, guest lectures and CELEP (Coalition of European Lobbies for East radio station, collected money through Music activities for Belgian agricultural and veterinary African Pastoralists), both of which defend the for Life for not just one, but 732 good causes. students, to make them aware of the impor- interests of livestock keepers in the South in One of those good causes was Vétérinaires tance of family farming and food sovereignty respect of policymakers in Europe and the Sans Frontières Belgium. Enthusiastic listeners around the world. The organisation develops Southern hemisphere. In 2013 Vétérinaires Sans organised many events to raise money for teaching modules that open these concepts up Frontières Belgium was the focal point of CELEP. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium. to teachers and students. One of the coalition’s main achievements last Jan Leyers auctioned off a living room year was a resolution on pastoralism adopted concert and cyclist Kenny Dehaes a signed As time goes on Vétérinaires Sans Frontières by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. In cycling jersey. There were dives and lunches, Belgium collaborates with an increasing number relation to this, two Members of the European sweets were sold and a Christmas market of organisations in Belgium. With the NGOs Parliament visited a livestock market in Addis was organised… And lots of songs were Trias, SOS Faim and ADG, for example, we Ababa, Ethiopia. requested for money. Fantastic!

7 Active in 8 African countries

8 © Cédric Gerbehaye West Africa

niger

Niger has approximately 17.1 million inhabitants, 81% of whom live in the

© DZG countryside. Despite the tensions in the region the country’s political situation remains fairly stable. Although Niger is experiencing good general economic growth, more than 43% of its population is living below the poverty line. But livestock keeping provides opportunities for development. Livestock accounts for 15% of the family budget and provides one quarter of the food. The prolonged drought of 2012 severely affected the cattle belonging to the poorest people. In the last year they have had to work extremely hard to rebuild their herds. To meet these challenges, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium and its local partners have set up a number of development and rehabilitation projects for the rural populations that live off their livestock. © Tim © Dirven

Program to support the livestock sector Project to support livestock in the depart- “I lost all my goats in the floods. We had no (PASEL) ments of Dosso and Aderbissinat (APELDA) animals left. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Donor: DDC Donors: DGD, 11.11.11 Belgium gave me 3 goats and a few months Duration: 3 years (since 2010) Duration: 3 years (since 2011) later they had had 5 kids. I am very happy, Total budget: CHF 5,030,000 Total budget: € 869,996 because now my children and I can drink milk. Partners: SNV, CESAO-PRN Local partner: CESAO-PRN The goats will certainly keep reproducing, because they are in good health thanks to Project to strengthen food security through Project Nariindu our community animal health worker, who livestock in the departments of Dakoro and Donor: AFD was trained by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Abalak (SAREL) Duration: 3 years (since June 2012) Belgium.” Donors: Belgian Fund for Food Security, Total budget: € 504,130 Fado Bakary, Niger CNCD-11.11.11, WBI, FAO, Télécoms Sans Partners: IRAM, KARKARA, AREN, Réseau Frontières Billital Maroobe Duration: 5 years (since 2009) Total budget: € 3,052,462 Project to strengthen and expand local Local partner: KARKARA private veterinary services in the regions of Dosso, Tahoua and Maradi (CE-SVPP) Project to promote the peri-urban dairy Donor: BTC industry in Niamey (APROLAN) Duration: 18 months (since 2012) Donors: DGD, 11.11.11 Total budget: € 211,661 Duration: 3 years (since 2011) Local partners: CESAO-PRN, KARKARA Total budget: € 355,294 Local partner: KARKARA

9 © Cédric Gerbehaye © Tim © Dirven

Mali

The landlocked Sahel country of Mali is very Project to develop livestock keeping in Project to combat food insecurity in Mali vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutrition. Koulikoro and Kita (PRODEL-K II) (LIAM) The economy is highly dependent on crop Donors: DGD, National Lottery of Belgium, Donors: Belgian Fund for Food Security, farming and livestock keeping, which employs CEVA nv, FAO Gillès Foundation, province of Antwerp 80% of the population (16 million). With Duration: 3 years (since 2011) Duration: 5 years (since 2012) more than 43 million animals, Mali is a real Total budget: € 944,861 Total budget: € 2,203,085 “livestock country”. Yet in the areas of health, Local partner: ICD In consortium with SOS Faim, Belgian Red food, genetics and economy there are many Cross, World Solidarity, Protos, UNCDF, FAO problems that limit the productivity of the Project to support women’s organisations Local partners: ICD, CEPAP, Association pour livestock. The armed conflict in the north of through small livestock keeping in the region l’Appui au Développement Global the country also exacerbates the situation. of Bamako (PAFEC II) By supporting rural veterinarian practices, Donors: DGD, municipality of Hove, province Emergency aid project to strengthen the feed banks and training, Vétérinaires Sans of Vlaams-Brabant, province of Oost-Vlaan- resilience of vulnerable groups (homeless Frontières Belgium, along with its local deren, CNCD-11.11.11, WBI, city of Antwerp livestock keepers and local families) in the partners, aims to improve the welfare of Duration: 3 years (since 2011) region of Mopti disadvantaged livestock keepers’ families. Total budget: € 307,600 Donor: FAO Local partner: ICD Duration: 4 months Total budget: € 20,779 Project to support food diversification in the Local partner: ICD circle of Youwarou (PADACY) Donor: EU Duration: 41 months (since 2011) Total budget: € 1,797,700 In consortium with ACF Managed by local partner ICD

10 Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a country in which agriculture, forestry and livestock keeping are extremely important. More than 85% of families derive at least some of their income from livestock. Just like other countries of the Sahel, Burkina Faso is suffering through climate change, which is having serious effects on the local ecosystems. On top of that, thousands of Malian refugees and their cattle still live in the north, which places the already scarce natural resources under even greater pressure. The families in the countryside are facing greater food inse- curity: shortages of grain and fodder are more frequent. In this difficult context Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium and its Burkinabe partner, A2N, are joining forces with an in- creasing number of strategic partners to meet the needs of the local population through a combination of emergency aid, rehabilitation and development.

Program to support the development of the Fula Zebu in the Sahel (ZEPESA II) Donors: Belgian Fund for Food Security, ZEBU- NET, WBI Duration: 6 years (since 2011) Total budget: € 3,522,518 Local partner: A2N

Emergency aid to refugees and asylum seekers in Burkina Faso Donor: UNHCR Duration: 11 months Total budget: € 144,306 Local partner: A2N © Tim © Dirven

“A few years ago I started growing “Vaccination is crucial to our animals. We vegetables, to earn a little money. But the are extremely pleased that Vétérinaires older I have grown the less land I have Sans Frontières Belgium has vaccinated been able to work. It is too hard for me our herds, because our animals are now physically. That is why I started breeding healthy. We also received feed, which poultry, and the first few years were very is extremely important for the animals, good. Until the chicks died year after because it means they give good milk and year and I lost heart. With support from grow strong. The calves are certainly not Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium short of milk now.” we joined forces as poultry keepers. We Mohamed Assali Ag Hamadou, Malian received training in production techniques refugee in Burkina Faso and animal health. We sold our animals as a group, to get a better price. Today things are a lot better. Every year I sell about 21 animals on average, which gives me a good income. I use the money to buy grain, to send my children to school and to look after them.” Saly Konaré, Mali

11 East Africa

“The March through April flash floods destroyed all my crops, as well as the irrigation canal that waters our farms. Poultry and bee keeping project Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium Donor: FAO helped me and other farmers in Duration: 4 months rehabilitating our damaged irrigation Total budget: $ 90,000 canals. We did the repair works ourselves and got paid for our work. This way, I had Strengthening pastoralist communities’ money available to help my family. I also Kenya drought resilience in the arid and semi-arid received farm tools such as a shovel and lands of Kenya a pick axe, and certified drought tolerant In the regions of Garissa and Turkana, Donor: Belgian Consortium for Emergency seeds: maize, sorghum, cowpeas and Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium has Situations 12-12 tomatoes. I look forward to harvesting 30 been working, along with its local partners, Duration: 2 years (since 2012) bags of maize, which is better than the 12 with vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral Total budget: € 200,000 bags I normally harvest. Now I can feed communities to build their resilience. By Local partner: TUPADO my family and sell the surplus produce to encouraging the livestock keepers to diversify attend to my family’s other basic needs.” their livelihoods, for example through poultry Floods emergency response in Turkana John Narupei, Kenya and honey production, their food security and Donor: UNOCHA nutrition has improved. Furthermore, focus in Duration: 6 months Kenya has been on livestock asset protection, Total budget: $ 200,000 animal welfare and the implementation of disaster risk reduction, in order to build Open sustainable livelihood opportunities for community resilience to external shocks poor households in Dadaab district such as drought and livestock diseases. After Donor: Belgian Consortium for Emergency heavy flooding in April the NGO helped the Situations 12-12 stricken Turkana livestock keepers to rebuild Duration: 2 years (since 2012) their herds. Total budget: € 200,000

Emergency program in the arid areas of Donkey welfare and livelihood project Turkana and Garissa (La Niña 3) (DOWELI) Donor: ECHO via Oxfam Donor: The Brooke Duration: 14 months (since 2012) Duration: 1 year (since April 2013) Total budget: € 880,000 Total budget: £ 194,094

12 “With help from Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium I was able to get a small loan. I used the money to buy sorghum and I started my own business: I make a local sorghum drink. People in the neighbourhood bought my drinks and through this I was able to build up a modest income. Since then I have repaid my loan and bought a pair of ducks. When they grow and reproduce I will be able to sell the young. The loan really has improved my life. I can now buy a better variety of food and pay my children’s school fees.” Maria Lokol, Uganda © Roger Job

Uganda

The last three years have been relatively Karamoja livestock development program peaceful in the Karamoja region, thanks to a (KLDP II) © Francesco Zizola joint weapons disarmament and development Donors: DGD, province of Vlaams-Brabant programme. Peace has granted the population Duration: 3 years (since 2011) and their herds renewed access to certain Total budget: € 580,313 areas that were previously dangerous. Despite Local partner: MADEFO this progress, poverty and child malnutrition are still alarmingly high, especially due to Implementing “One Health” approach at irregular rainfall, cattle disease and the poorer community level quality of the soil. Therefore, Vétérinaires Donor: Irish Aid (through FAO) Sans Frontières Belgium, along with its local Duration: 6 months partner, would like to improve access to Our Budget: $ 50,000 animal healthcare, by training community Local partner: DADO animal health workers for example, and by providing a decent infrastructure. The NGO also encourages the sustainable use of water and grassland and stimulates livestock keepers to develop additional and varied sources of income.

13 © Tim © Dirven

“Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium has done good work in our district. I haven’t vaccinated my cattle for 8 years, but this year I did. I vaccinated my cows against pasteurellosis, black leg and anthrax. I can see that they are now stronger, healthier and more productive and more resilient. Without Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium my cattle would not have survived the floods.” Makal Mapath Magak, South Sudan

Emergency veterinary support program IV Support to horticultural and poultry produc- (EVSP IV) in Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, tion and agro-processing activities in Juba Unity, Upper Nile and Warrap states Donor: FAO Donor: USAID Duration: 1 year (since March 2012) Duration: 1 year (since July 2012) Total budget: SSP 140,990 Our budget: $ 1,016,800 (total budget South 2,500,000) East coast fever intervention project in Cen- Consortium led by Veterinaires Sans Frontieres tral Equatoria, Lakes and Western Equatoria Sudan Belgium: Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Germany, states Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Switzerland Donor: FAO Duration: 7 months (since June 2013) Two years after independence, South Sudan is Emergency livestock intervention in Jonglei Total budget: SSP 382,059.55 still facing many challenges. Political tensions, and Upper Nile states violence, cutbacks, flooding, poor services and Donor: CHF Livestock emergency response project I in an underdeveloped infrastructure are making Duration: 1 year (since October 2012) Warrap state life more difficult for the rural population. Last Total budget: $ 200,000 Donor: CHF year, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium’s Duration: 1 year (since March 2013) extensive network of community animal Food security recovery program in Lakes Total budget: $ 400,000 health workers vaccinated, dewormed and state (FSRP) treated cattle, thus ensuring the livelihoods of Donor: European Union Livestock emergency response project II in thousands of livestock keepers that were hit Duration: 4 years (since 2009) Jonglei state by flooding in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile Total budget: € 1,500,004 Donor: CHF and Warrap. By handing out sheep and goats, Duration: 6 months (since October 2013) Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium was Enhancing community based resource Budget: $ 470,000 also able to help disadvantaged families and utilization to secure livelihoods in Lakes state returning livestock keepers to rebuild herds Donor: Elisabeth and Amélie Foundation Livestock emergency response project III in and so reacquire a basic source of food and Duration: 6 months (since August 2012) Lakes and Warrap states income. Total budget: € 33,285 Donor: CHF Duration: 6 months (since February 2013) Budget: $ 428,000

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Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing Project to promote livestock among many problems, particularly the uncertainty vulnerable urban groups in the city of caused by the presence of many militarised Butembo (PROMELVU) groups. In 2013, the M23 troops withdrew Donor: DGD from Goma following skirmishes with the Duration: 3 years (since 2011) Congolese army and the UN peacekeeping Total budget: € 354,375 force. Nevertheless, other militias remain Local partner: Réseau WIMA active in the region. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium supports, along with its Project for food security through small live- local partner, disadvantaged families in North stock farming in the province of North Kivu Kivu by providing small livestock. The animals Donor: Belgian Fund for Food Security are easy to look after and can be transported Duration: 5 years (since 2013) safely and easily during bandit raids. The small Total budget: € 3,132,463 livestock are crucial to the families’ food Local partner: Réseau WIMA security.

“Five years ago I received a few rabbits from Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium. My farming production has tripled thanks to these animals and their manure. I am no longer solely dependent on my husband to buy things. In 2010 my village appointed me as community animal health worker. I was trained by Vétérinaires © Cédric Gerbehaye Sans Frontières Belgium to handle the everyday care of the village animals. That has given me some standing in the community. The livestock keepers often call on my services and through this I earn about $25 a month on average. With that money I have bought a motorcycle, so that I can get around more easily.” Eugénie Kaswera Muvunga, Democratic Republic of Congo

“We were lucky if we ate once a day before. We didn’t hold out much hope for the future. But in 2009 I was given 3 rabbits and 2 goats by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium. Today I have 17 rabbits, 3 goats and even 2 pigs! Since I was given the rabbits, I have been able to sell quite a few. I have also given some to 3 other families. Thanks to my income my family can eat 2 meals a day. My little boy is also going to school now and we have even been able to join a healthcare system. In the future I would rwanda like to install electric lighting in my house.” Marie Alice Murekeyisoni, Rwanda Tim © Dirven

For the last ten years, Rwanda has been making Project to promote local and private considerable economic progress, for which veterinary services in southern Rwanda the country has received international praise. (PROXIVET II) However, Rwanda will soon have to accelerate Donor: DGD its agricultural production to limit imports Duration: 3 years (since 2011) and meet the local population’s growing need Total budget: € 930,035 © DZG for food. Poverty levels are still relatively high Local partner: IMBARAGA in the country. In the Southern Province, the country’s poorest region, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium supports small livestock keeping, along with its local partner. Better health for the animals can help vulnerable families overcome poverty.

15 Regional projects Partnerships

Financial partners © Roger Job

TESO: Support for the vulnerable families paredness to face future disasters, for example of millions of small-scale livestock keepers in of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the livestock marketing, vegetable gardening, aloe Sub-Saharan Africa. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières county of Téra (Niger) and the provinces of vera processing, crop agriculture, goat produc- Belgium and its partners want to investigate Oudalan and Séno (Burkina Faso) tion and creating cereal banks. whether the parasite is building up resistance The populations of Niger and Burkina Faso are Donor: European Commission via FAO to the current medication. The project aims to still experiencing the effects of the 2012 food Duration: 2 years (since 2011) map out and control the development of this crisis in the Sahel region and the conflict in Total budget: $ 200,000 resistance in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Togo. Mali, which created a huge stream of refugees. The partners will develop guidelines and tools Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium aims to L4L: Livestock for livelihoods for detecting resistance and for determining improve the resilience of pastoralists, agro- The African continent consists largely of dry the quality of the medication. The project also pastoralists and other local actors, to help them areas where water, fertile soil and vegetation aims to develop strategies to improve the ef- face present and future crises. The organisation are scarce. Population growth puts added fect of treatment on cattle. Vétérinaires Sans does this by improving access to local animal pressure on these areas. In the continent’s fragile Frontières Belgium is responsible for distribu- healthcare, by avoiding and resolving conflicts ecosystems, pastoralists and their livestock, ting these strategies among all those concerned, without violence, and by raising the livestock sedentary farmers, wildlife, governments and from policymakers and lab technicians to vets keepers’ awareness through pastoral field private companies compete for these limited and livestock keepers. schools about the rational management of their natural resources. Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Donor: European Commission herds. Furthermore, the project aims to build Belgium supports livestock keepers in East Duration: 5 years (since March 2012) the capacities of local civil society organisations Africa - the border regions between Ethiopia, Our budget: € 420,680 and government authorities to enable them to Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda - and West Partners: Institute of Tropical Medicine in avoid and handle pastoral crises. Africa - the border regions between Benin, Antwerp, Freie Universität Berlin, Leibniz Donor: USAID Burkina Faso and Niger - to strengthen their Universität Hannover, CIRDES, University Duration: 2 years (since April 2013) resilience to climate change. The organisation of Pretoria, veterinary services in Ethiopia, Total budget: $ 987,866 does this by proposing livelihood alternatives Mozambique and Togo Local partner: CESAO-PRN and negotiating peaceful solutions through dialogue and agreements on grazing areas, for FSTP: Regional initiative in support of example. vulnerable pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Donor: European Commission via African the Horn of Africa Union Livestock keepers in the border areas of Tur- Duration: 3 years (since 2010) kana and Karamoja are threatened by drought, Our budget: € 616,350 (East Africa); $ 143,325 floods, diseases and conflicts. Vétérinaires Sans (West Africa) Frontières Belgium supports communities in Partners: IUCN, AWF identifying hazards that increase their vulne- rability. The identified hazards are addressed TRYRAC: Improving the management of through community actions implemented trypanosomiasis in small-scale livestock through the agro-pastoral field school and vil- systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, which are lage community banking associations. Livestock plagued by tsetse flies keepers have started new income generating Trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmit- activities to improve their resilience and pre- ted by the tsetse fly. It affects the livelihoods

16 Partnerships

Financial partners

Gillès Foundation, Consortium 12-12, Elisabeth and Amélie Foundation and all the others who support us financially & technically.

17 Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium

follow us Headquarters / Brussels Avenue Paul Deschanellaan 36-38, 1030 Brussels, Belgium T +32 (0)2 539 09 89, F +32 (0)2 539 34 90, E [email protected] www.vsf-belgium.org Regional coordination / East Africa Donate online PO BOX 13986, 00800, Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya http://vsf-donate.org/en T +254 (0)20 273 4518, E [email protected] Regional coordination / West Africa BE73-7326-1900-6460 BP 12 632 Niamey, Niger (CREGBEBB) T +227 20 72 52 01, F +227 20 72 23 95, E [email protected] Regional coordination / Central Africa Kigali, Rwanda T +250 787 773374, E [email protected] Resp. Ed. Bart Balis, Avenue Paul Deschanel 36-38, 1030 Brussels Deschanel 36-38, Paul Avenue Bart Balis, Ed. Resp. Tim Dirven photo ©

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