SPANA launches urgent appeal as thousands of donkeys suffer in Tanzania floodwaters  

26 February 2025: Thousands of donkeys in the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, located in the Kigoma region of Tanzania, are suffering due to the spread of deadly diseases triggered by devastating floods. With the rainy season approaching again in March, there are growing fears that even more donkeys will be affected.

In response, global working animal charity SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) has launched an urgent appeal to help donkeys in the refugee camp.

Linda Edwards, Chief Executive of SPANA, said:

‘The devastating floods in Tanzania have already inflicted unimaginable suffering, and the situation is worsening.  Donkeys are in urgent need of veterinary care and shelter from the relentless floodwaters. As the rainy season looms closer, there is no time to waste. Immediate support is critical to protect these vital working animals and prevent further hardship.’

Nyarugusu Refugee Camp is one of the largest in Tanzania and is home to more than 135,000 people, mostly from neighbouring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). SPANA is working with local partner Disability Relief Services Tanzania (DRST) to help donkeys affected by the floods. 

Jeremiah Mutagoma, the Managing Director of Disability Relief Services Tanzania (DRST) and project lead for SPANA, said:

‘Sadly, these donkeys are facing conditions no animal should endure. The ground is waterlogged, leaving the donkeys stranded in filthy water with no dry place to rest. This is causing painful lesions, infections, and the rapid spread of deadly diseases.’ 

The deteriorating health of the donkeys is also affecting the refugees’ ability to earn a basic income, as they rely on the donkeys for vital tasks such as transporting goods to markets and fetching water. As Jeremiah explained:

‘Donkeys are the backbone of Nyarugusu Refugee Camp. They transport vital supplies for hundreds of thousands of people and provide much needed livelihood opportunities.’

Fatuma, 42, is the main caregiver for her three children, and thanks to the project her donkey Nia has received treatment for hoof rot and a respiratory infection. She said:

‘Nia is indispensable to my family. She carries firewood, fetches water, and brings food from the market, allowing us to survive daily. She helps me reduce the time I spend doing these tasks, giving me more time to care for my children. Without her, life would be much harder.’

The life-saving appeal will help more than 1,000 donkeys and 600 households by providing food and water and building or repairing flood-resistant shelters. The team will also offer veterinary care, train local animal health workers, and run community campaigns to raise awareness about proper animal care.

SPANA has supported working animals in the Kigoma region during previous periods of extreme weather. In July 2024, SPANA helped donkeys and Oxen affected by heavy rainfall in Kasulu, providing emergency feeding, shelter, veterinary, and community training, helping around 700 animals and approximately 1500 households

SPANA has worked in Tanzania since 2013. In 2024, SPANA treated more than 20,000 working animals in Tanzania, including donkeys, mules, and oxen.

To help donkeys affected by the Nyarugusu flood, SPANA has launched an appeal for donations that will provide veterinary treatment, food, water and shelter. You can donate to the Tanzania floods appeal via SPANA’s website.

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