ADDIS ABABA – The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has handed over various essential veterinary medicines and equipment to support pastoralist communities in Afar State, which have been affected by a recent earthquake.
With funding from the European Union (EU), ILRI launched the “Restoration of Livestock Services in Conflict and Drought-Affected Areas of Ethiopia” (RESTORE) project in November 2024. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Ethiopian Veterinary Association (EVA) and Ethiopian regional and national partners.
In a press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald, ILRI stated that the RESTORE project aims to strengthen veterinary service delivery and enhance resilience in livestock-dependent communities.
ILRI Addis Ababa Campus Principal Scientist and Herd Health Team Leader Theo Knight (PhD) stated that through the RESTORE project, ILRI has provided much-needed animal health materials and equipment to help alleviate the challenges faced in Afar following the earthquake.
“So far, veterinary medicines and equipment worth approximately six million Birr have been provided to Afar State, which has been severely affected by the earthquake in recent months,” he said.
He added that the support will directly benefit pastoralist communities, as these essential medicines are crucial for daily animal health protection.
According to Theo , the RESTORE project, running from 2024 to 2028, aims to empower livestock-dependent communities, ensuring food and nutrition security while fostering self-sufficiency and resilience.
On his part, Afar State Livestock and Fishery Development Bureau Deputy Head Hamedu Ali stated that thousands of pastoralists from nine kebeles in Awash Fentale and Dulecha woredas have been displaced due to the ongoing earthquake.
Moreover, the earthquake has caused significant damage to infrastructure, including health facilities, hampering the delivery of both human and livestock health services, he added.
Currently, the state is providing forage and veterinary medicine support to the displaced communities to manage animal diseases caused by the congregation of large numbers of animals from different areas.
Hamedu further noted that the affected pastoralists and their livestock are being sheltered in temporary camps, with ongoing efforts to rehabilitate them sustainably.
However, he emphasized that the state continues to face a shortage of veterinary medicines, posing challenges to harnessing its vast livestock potential.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2025
