When Cyclone Fani hit India’s costal Odisha region in early May 2019, it left a trail of destruction that placed thousands of working animals at risk, as well as the communities that depend on them. The effects of the cyclone – with winds of over 125 miles per hour– devastated 14 districts within Odisha and threatened the lives of many.
Emergency care and shelter
Working alongside our trusted partner APOWA, and thanks to your generous support, we were able to be on the ground as soon as the cyclone passed, to ensuring working animals were cared for when they needed us the most.
Thanks to your donations, much-needed emergency veterinary care was provided to the worst affected areas, where animals had been seriously impacted by the devastation. We treated wounds and built temporary shelters to protect the victims from further harm and exposure. Continuing this work, we hope to treat 3,000 animals and provide shelter-building materials – such as tarpaulin – to 50 animal owners in the Odisha region by the end of July this year.
Feeding and vaccines
Due to the storm’s widescale devastation, many animals were left with limited feed and without a supply of fresh, clean water. Animals already at risk after the devastating storm were left at risk of life-threatening malnourishment and dehydration. So we worked on the ground to deliver feed and fresh water to those animals in greatest need. We estimate that at least 3,000 animals will benefit from our emergency water and feeding programme that is continuing in the wake of Cyclone Fani.
Natural disasters increase the spread of infectious disease and viruses can be commonplace. Diarrhoea and pneumonia are two of the most common risks for working animals, both of which can spread rapidly. Thanks again to your caring donations, we are able to put measures in place to vaccinate those caught up in the disaster. By helping to buy emergency vet kits, you also assisted in the supply of vaccinations, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, as well as essential equipment such as needles, syringes, bandages and stethoscopes that our vets need in the field to treat working animals in dire need. Many animals have already been vaccinated and we hope to reach a total of 2,000 in the affected region.
Thank you
None of this work would have been possible without your continuing support. Working animals across the world suffer daily from exhausting working lives, but for those caught up in areas of nautral disaster emergency care and relief is essential.
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