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B E L G I U M

R A P P O R T D ’ A C T I V I T É S A C T I V I T E I T E N V E R S L A G A C T I V I T Y R E P O R T

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● ABOUT THIS REPORT:

The aim of this annual report is to enableVSF-DZG to inform its partners andsupporters about what our teams andpartners have achieved in the field.

This document is aimed at everyone whobelieves that sustainable development isboth necessary and achievable.

● WHAT VSF DOES IN THE FIELD:

More than 3 billion people are currentlyliving below the poverty line.Approximately one-quarter of these poorpeople are livestock farmers or own ani-mals. Vets Without Borders (VSF-DZG)aims to improve the well-being of thedisadvantaged people in developing coun-tries by optimising their livestock resour-ces. VSF-DZG dedicates itself to thesepeople for whom livestock constitutes anopportunity of escaping poverty.

In most developing countries livestockplays a crucial role. It is a source of foodsuch as eggs, milk and meat. Livestock isalso important for agriculture, a source offertiliser and for providing draught andpack animals. Livestock strengthens socialand family ties (dowries, gifts) and is alsoa means of accumulating savings (forschool fees and medical care).

This makes livestock a cornerstone forthe often fragile socio-economic equilibri-um of these people who are marginalisedby poverty. The animal represents aneffective means of escaping from the spi-ral of poverty and is a crucial factor forsustainable development.

In all of its projects, VSF-DZG uses localskills and tries to strengthen them furtherthrough its own programmes.

● REACTIONS IN THE FIELD

Our greatest motivation comes fromoften amazing testimonies that enable usto see just how much impact our projectshave. They demonstrate that what we docan change the lives of the local peopleand open new doors for a better future.

These two examples speak for themselves:• The weekly livestock markets in

remote districts are a great success. Inthe early morning, the women baketraditional cakes and prepare drinks

made from the milk they sell at themarket. The market not only enablesthe women to obtain a fair price fortheir produce, but also enables themto earn an income that boosts thefamily budget directly.

• In these areas, often ravaged by con-flict and war, the herds and flocks ofanimals play a major role in the peaceprocess. VSF-DZG helps to improveanimal health and this privileged posi-tion also makes it possible to organisepeace meetings between the warringtribes. These tribes all want to haveaccess to grazing pastures and wate-ring points in a peaceful environment.At one such peace meeting betweendifferent tribes of Kenya, Sudan andUganda, stolen livestock and kidnap-ped children were returned to theirfamilies.

● HOW VSF-DZG OPERATES

Out of concern for operational effective-ness, VSF-DZG has chosen to concentra-te its activities in 3 geographic zones inAfrica: East Africa, the Great Lakes regionand some of the countries in Sub-SaharanWest-Africa.

In the future, VSF-DZG also intends tostrengthen its operations in two mainareas:• Institutional support and local capacity

building• Strengthening of animal health serv-

ices in local areas

The Board of Trustees sets the strategicpriorities for the association and delegatesthe management to a ManagementCommittee which ensures that VSF-DZG’smission can be carried out properly and

that every internal and external member ofstaff is able to work in a professional envi-ronment. The tasks are divided up basedon the coordination of the regional pro-grammes, the management of humanresources and accounting, financial controland the management of knowledge.

VSF operates mainly from institutionalfunds (89%) which come from Belgianand international donors. The other 11%comes from individuals and companiesthat support us financially.

VSF aims to be transparent in every way.Various audits are carried out annually toensure proper controls over income andexpenditure, as well as the internal orga-nisation. This mode of operation has ledus to set down all of our operational anddecision-making procedures as part of aquality manual. This discipline on our partstrengthens the confidence of our financi-al partners as well as increasing the effec-tiveness of our programmes, which inturn boosts the impact the people whobenefit from them.

I would like to thank you for your interestand support for our organisation. I hopeyou enjoy reading this report.

Dr. Vet. Madeleine OnclinDirector, VSF-DZG Belgium

PS: VSF-DZG is celebrating its 10th anni-versary in 2005. We hope that next yearwe will be able to report to you again onthe progress we have achieved. We’llmake sure that is the case!

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PARTNERSHIP - VISION & MISSION

● EAST AFRICAN PROGRAMME

The future of civil society in marginalisedcommunities lies in the establishment anddevelopment of indigenous organisations.These, in turn, will ensure that the peoplebecome as self-sufficient as possible.

This reflects VSF-DZG Belgium’s concernthat concepts of capacity building must beincorporated into its humanitarian anddevelopment operations.

In 2004, the regional office in Nairobi ini-tiated the development of the strategy oncapacity-building. This strategy is based onfour principles:

• Building strong partnerships based onmutual trust, honesty, transparency,shared vision and goals, and opennessto cultural, social, political and eco-nomic differences.

• Enhancing organisational develop-ment. This means engaging counter-parts to identify and build onstrengths and weaknesses. This isdesigned to lead to institutional inde-pendence, viability and sustainability.

• Valuing and building on local capaci-ties; in communities (either throughcounterpart organisations or directlyon a community level) through use ofparticipatory methods.

• Strengthening civil society; by promo-ting the participation of local partnersin and promotion of sustainable civilsociety. This can occur throughstrengthening policy environments,emphasising the importance of coali-tions and collaborative efforts andcreating networks.

In light of this, over the past 2 years, VSF-DZG has forged active programme part-nerships with three main indigenousNGOs: VETWORK Services Trust, NaathCommunity Development Services(NCDS) in South Sudan and TurkanaLivestock Development (TUPADO) inKenya.

VSF-DZG’s support for these indigenousorganisations is focused mainly on sup-porting their community-based animalhealth activities and on organisationalcapacity building support i.e. technical

guidance and management for examplefinancial management, the writing of proj-ect proposals and reports, monitoring andevaluation. The budget for supporting these indige-nous NGOs over the past two years was€ 180,000.

In the future, VSF-DZG will continue toincorporate the fundamental principleshighlighted above into all planned activi-ties and continue forging active partner-ship with indigenous organisations andstructures.

● PROGRAMME IN FRENCH-SPEAKING AFRICA

To ensure increased quality of its projects,VSF-DZG has initiated the process ofimproving the methodological capacitiesthough improved project cycle manage-ment and a strategy on local partners. Anexternal adviser was brought in to providethe necessary support. This project beganwith a diagnostic phase, followed by aphase of methodological strengthening.

In practical terms, reporting and monitor-ing systems were developed and in June2004, a workshop took place in Dakoro,Niger.The workshop was attended by 23 partic-ipants, VSF-DZG staff and representativesfrom local partner organisations. Therewere also representatives from thenational leadership of two projects imple-mented by the Belgian TechnicalCooperation (BTC) organisation in Niger.

The main results of the workshop wereas follows:

• Increased knowledge of the principlesand tools for PCM, not only regardinggeneral concepts, but also and mainlyon the issue of livestock husbandry.

• Implementation of the cooperationbetween VSF-DZG/ BSF/CTB/DGCD (Directorate General ofDevelopment Cooperation);

• Significant exchange of knowledge;• Development of team spirit and a

feeling of belonging for VSF-DZG.

● NEW REGIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE FORWEST AFRICA

All VSF-DZG programmes in West Africacurrently jointly financed by DGOS andBSF. In 1997, there was just one projectin this region, whereas in 2005, sevenprojects were carried out both with localpartners and 10 development workers.

The regional coordination office that willbe opened in 2005 is co-financed byDGCD and will make it possible to pro-mote the exchange of experiences sothat projects within the five-year pro-gramme can be better coordinated. Thiswill strengthen the capabilities of the localpartners and support the VSF-DZGapproach and strategy (participatoryapproach, local players, etc.). According tothe policy on partnerships, the office willplay an important role in the process oftransferring responsibilities and for moni-toring mutual obligations.

● A TRAGIC DAY FOR VSF-DZG

In 2004, cooperation with the PADEBproject in Cameroon was terminated dueto the death of the VSF-DZG projectmanager, Dr Kakule Kasonia. Currentlythe investigation is still open. The insecu-rity surrounding these events had madeVSF-DZG decide to close down theproject.

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P A R T N E R S H I P S A N D C A P A C I T Y B U I L D I N G I N T H E S O U T H :

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● OUR VISION:

Veterinarians can improve livingconditions on our planet.

● WE BELIEVE THAT:

• Each person has the right to decentliving conditions and that internationalsolidarity is of the utmost importance.

• The Earth, Animals and Mankind arethree inextricably linked elements in achain where the animal is a factor insustainable development.

• Development gives increased choicesto beneficiary populations.

● OUR MISSION:

“To improve the well-being of disadvan-taged populations in developing countries,by improving animal husbandry”

● OUR APPROACH:

To work in partnership, to train, toempower, to teach to raise awareness• To establish partnerships based on

mutual respect and with commongoals.

• To place ourselves at the service ofthe most vulnerable populations in aconstant process of learning

• To train and to empower communi-ties and to support local partnersinvolved in the livestock industry.

• To respect the environment, culture,laws, human rights, ancient traditionsand animal welfare in those countrieswhere the programme is taking place.

• To develop appropriate and ethically-responsible participatory techniques inorder to achieve the best results.

• To make the wider public aware ofdevelopment issues and the role ofthe Animal as a development factor.

• VSF-DZG Belgium will intervene bothfor sustainable development and inemergency situations.

● OUR VALUES:

“Respect, Transparency, Sustainability”

• VSF-DZG Belgium always abides byits code of ethics.

• VSF-DZG Belgium’s management istransparent and VSF-DZG Belgium isaccountable to its stakeholders

• The activities initiated by VSF-DZGBelgium and partners are sustainable.

• VSF-DZG Belgium is an equal oppor-tunity employer concerned with staffdevelopment.

● OUR STRUCTURE:

“Non-profit organization accredited as anNGO”

• VSF-DZG Belgium is a non-profitorganisation officially registered as anNGO by the Belgian government,numerous international organisationsand various African governments.

• VSF-DZG Belgium works with aprofessional team, nationally andinternationally.

• VSF-DZG Belgium is a memberof the VSF Europa network

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I N T R O D U C I N G V S F - D Z G B E L G I U M

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SOUTH SUDAN

1. BACKGROUND

In 1995 VSF started a community-basedanimal health project (CBAHP) as part ofthe Operation Lifeline Sudan programme.In 2004 this project entered its tenthyear, but the needs of this vast area andits people who are affected by war andnatural disasters are still high. Insecurity has caused whole villages toflee and livestock numbers, decimated bythe civil war, have not yet returned totheir previous numbers. For the localpopulation, livestock means a buffer forcounteracting setbacks. Milk is the mainfood source, especially for bridging thehunger gap, and less milk meansdecreased immunity in children. A healthyherd is crucial for the chances of survivalfor thousands of Sudanese families. Factors that have contributed to thedecreased contribution of livestock tofood security are: low productivity due toanimal disease, inappropriate livestockhusbandry techniques and nutritionalstress, plus a decrease in livestock owner-ship as the result of raids, forced salesduring bad times and livestock deaths.According to the local people, the mainbarriers to livestock production are thebreakdown in veterinary services and lackof security. There is also too little accessto grazing areas, water and livestockmarkets.

2. OBJECTIVE

The CBAHP aims at improving the foodsecurity of the livestock-owning communi-ties in South Sudan affected by the war.

As part of the programme, essential live-stock husbandry services to the livestockowners are developed and supported byAnimal Health Workers (AHWs). TheseAHWs are drawn from the local commu-nity and trained by VSF-DZG. The animalhealth service is structured on a numberof levels, depending on the training theAHWs have been given.

3. ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2004

VSF-DZG again supported local com-munities in establishing veterinaryservices. This included helping to runcommunity services and selecting candi-dates to provide the various veterinaryservices. These students were trained byVSF-DZG vets and community develop-ment workers.

VSF-DZG provided veterinarydrugs, equipment and vaccines toenable the AHWs to provide theservices needed and to fight againstoutbreaks of all kinds of animal diseases.AHWs were very active in identifying andreporting cases of disease within theirareas. The result of these activities was a

generally satisfactory health statusof livestock in VSF-DZG locations.

A total of 334 AHWs were trainedand supported in 2004. Of 296 activeCAHWs, 30 are women. There arecurrently 38 supervisors (AHAs and stockpeople).

Peace was finally achieved in southernSudan in 2004. This means the start of amajor transition period of assis-tance for achieving sustainabledevelopment and reconstruction. In2004, VSF-DZG place more emphasis onpreparing local people for this period oftransition. VSF-DZG was also closelyinvolved in discussions with the SPLMdirectorate of agriculture on how todevelop methods of partnership forstrengthening capacity, particularly interms of local livestock policy.

In Tonj county, VSF-DZG facilitated thepilot project to provide supplies forthe community veterinary service.This is good example of a sustainabledevelopment initiative for improving thestandard of living in this region. It is hopedthat in 2005, more trade-relatedactivities will be initiated in the livestocksector, alongside animal health activities,so that the standard of living and foodsecurity of livestock keepers in southernSudan can be improved.

4. PLANS FOR 2005

• Consolidate progress in the privatisa-tion of veterinary inputs in TonjCounty and transfer to the localcommunity. The experience gainedwill be replicated in Upper Nile.

• Support community-based animalhealth projects in Upper Nile withveterinary equipment and training,particularly in insecure areas.

• Develop an institutional strategy forbuilding capacity to enable the pro-gramme work with new local partners.

• Emphasise preventive veterinaryhealth by supporting vaccination andde-worming campaigns

• Continue with the active identification ofanimal diseases, particularly rinderpest

5. FUNDS

ECHO €425,655USAID 2003 US$ 60,000USAID 2004 US$ 300,000

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S O U T H S U D A N :C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D A N I M A L H E A L T HP R O G R A M M E

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1. BACKGROUND

In 1996, VSF-DZG Belgium began theSouthern Sudan Animal Health AuxiliaryTraining Institute (SSAHATI) aimed atstrengthening the Community-basedAnimal Health Programme (CAHP). Theaim of the CAHP is to reduce the impactof animal diseases on the economy and offood security for a population beingundermined by the war.

In 2002, VSF-DZG, with the financial sup-port of the USAID programme for restor-ing agriculture (SSARP), went a step fur-ther towards setting up and supportinglivestock husbandry training courses:

Through SSARP support, a partnershiphas been developed with the Agricultureand Livestock department of the SudanPeople’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).As a result, the original animal healthtraining programme (SSAHATI) has beenextended into a total package of coursesthat covers all aspects of animal produc-tion and agribusiness. This has led to theestablishment of the Livestock TrainingCentre (LTC) at Marial Lou. VSF-DZG iscurrently supporting the transfer of man-agement and decision-making at this cen-tre to local bodies.

Previously, the training programmes weremanaged from the regional office inNairobi as 2 separate departments, theSSAHATI and the SSARP. Both have nowbeen merged into one department, calledthe Livestock Training and AgribusinessProgramme (LiTAP). LiTAP covers all ofthe training courses dealing with animalhusbandry (animal health and production,and business development) and bringstogether the objectives of SSAHATI andSSARP.

LiTAP has support from various sources.The main donor is the USAID SouthernSudan Agriculture RevitalisationProgramme (SSARP). Others sourcesinclude internal generated by the trainingprogrammes. These funds have beenbrought in mainly to finance further train-ing in animal husbandry.

The overall objective of LiTAP is todevelop innovative and relevant training

approaches that address the needs oflivestock keepers and local business peo-ple. The ultimate aim is that the right typeof training dealing with production, tradeand business will increase the income ofthe local people in a sustainable manner.

South Sudan has an extremely highpotential for livestock production andtrading. However, livestock breeding andagriculture has remained at the ‘level forsustaining the family’ for the past 20 years,due to war and insecurity. Poor ruralinfrastructure (roads, communication, andtransportation) has significantly slowedthe economic recovery in post-conflictareas.

While many NGO programmes in themore stable areas are evolving from reliefto rehabilitation, training and extensionactivities have focused mainly improvingfood security for rural households. Littleattention has been paid to building upcapacity in farm management andagribusiness, which would help livestockfarmers to move from subsistence tomore commercial production levels.

Institutional capacity and the infrastructureneeded to manage the livestock develop-ment process at different levels is alsounderdeveloped. VSF-DZG is a key playerin capacity building for the livestock sec-tor in South Sudan. In the past decadeand with assistance from various donors,VSF-DZG has established a strong reputa-tion in training and building capacity. Inthe near future, we hope to addressneeds further so that the local economy,which depends to a large extent on rear-ing livestock, is able to get going. Bydeveloping training programmes, net-works and trading opportunities, as wellas providing access to new technologyand information, the aim is to make SouthSudan more self-sufficient and better pre-pared for sustainable development.

SSARP is a 5 year programme. It startedin 2002 and ends in 2007. It is imple-mented by a consortium of NGOs withVSF-DZG handling the livestockcomponent.

2. AIM

• To improve the income and foodsecurity of communities in SouthSudan by building self-sufficiency inthe agricultural sector, which willsafeguard the natural resource basefor future generations.

• The goal of the livestock componentof the programme is to improve theincome and food security of livestock-rearing communities in South Sudan bybuilding up capacity. This will ensureself-reliance in livestock rearing activi-ties while protecting the environment.

3. OBJECTIVE

• To increase capacity for livestockproduction and marketing.

4. EXPECTED RESULTS

• Increased access to capacity-buildingopportunities, information andtechnology

• Increased access to funding for thedevelopment of livestock enterprises

• Increased access to trading networksand agribusinesses to facilitateexpanded trading opportunities.

5. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

To achieve the objectives stated above,SSARP has developed a strategy to workwith the Livestock Training Centre (LTC)as a local partner in delivering residentialcourse on various subjects. The LTC hasbeen given a broader mandate in whichanimal production, animal health, livestockcommodity handling and trade andbusiness skills have been incorporated.

The training delivery strategy also includesan outreach component through whichtraining will be taken out to the livestockcommunities. This outreach programmewill work with individual trainers or localorganisations, which after training ortrainer training at the LTC, will go outinto the field. These people or organisa-tions will work with VSF-DZG and theLTC to deliver the training courses.

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L I V E S T O C K T R A I N I N G A N D A G R I B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N TP R O G R A M M E ( L I T A P ) - S S A H A T I A N D S S A R P

L I V E S T O C K H U S B A N D R Y T R A I N I N G I N S O U T H S U D A N

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SOUTH SUDAN

VSF-DZG and the LTC will be respon-sible for monitoring the quality of theteaching plans, training materials andcapacity for local trainers. The outreachmethod will also work with local organisa-tions and groups using the Farmer FieldSchool method currently beingdeveloped.

6. RESULTS IN 2004

1. SSARP and SSAHATI were mergedinto a single programme managedby a single project manager. This newprogramme is called the “LivestockTraining and AgribusinessDevelopment Programme” (LiTAP).This has brought all of the VSF-DZGtraining functions together.

2. The process of handing over themanagement of the trainingcentre to the Board of Trustees(BoT) was initiated and speeded up.Various capacity-building activitieswere undertaken to equip this newboard with skills (mainly with regardto management and administration).

3. A draft Bill establishing the LTC as alegal entity was developed in conjunc-tion with all of the parties involved inthe animal husbandry programme.This was signed into law by the SouthSudanese authorities paving the wayfor the legal existence of theLTC. The LTC’s mandate, roles andresponsibilities are clearly defined inthis law.

4. The Livestock Training CentreBoard of Trustees (BOT) wasappointed by the Commissioner forAgriculture and Animal Resources tooversee management and policydevelopment at the LTC. Threemeetings were held in 2004.

5. A provisional director was appoint-ed to oversee the day-to-day man-agement of the LTC and a number oflocal positions were filled.

6. Construction work for the new LTCis 90% complete. The new buildingswill be opened officially at the begin-ning of 2005. These modern brick-built structures are a major step for-ward compared with the original mudhuts with roofs made from reeds.They are even equipped with electric-ity and water.

7. Curricula for the new LTCcourses were drafted at aParticipatory CurriculumDevelopment Workshop attended bytrainers from the various East African

livestock training Institutes. Theseadditional courses are ready fordelivery in 2005 and the developmentof training materials is on-going.

8. A Livestock Marketing OpportunitiesIdentification Study, phase 2, was con-ducted to generate better insight intothe detailed information aboutvarious available and potentialtrading opportunities. This infor-mation will make the opportunitiesopened by the LTC courses as rele-vant and appropriate as possible sothat they will address the lack of skillsamong livestock keepers and smallbusiness people in earning a livingfrom livestock husbandry.

9. 2 AHA training courses were con-ducted, one in Upper Nile (Nyal) andone in Marial Lou (Tonj). An addition-al 3 business skills courses were con-ducted, one for Norwegian People’sAid in Akot, one in Malualkon for VSFSuisse and 1 for VSF-DZG CBAHP inTonj. An AHA refresher course wasalso held in Marial Lou and 3 genderworkshops to make livestock pro-gramme personnel aware of gender..

10. A private veterinary drug supplyshop was initiated in Tonj in a ven-ture between the LTC and CBAHP.This serves as a model to promoteentrepreneurship and private initia-tives.

11. The Livestock Training Centre devel-oped a business plan at a participato-ry workshop attended by all LTC staff.

7. DONORS AND BUDGETS

1. USAID – $516,101 ($126,440 -administered by VSFB, $102,556directly to LTC & $228,996 for con-struction works at the LTC).

2. Cost recovery (internal Funds) –214,129 EUR

3. NEDA – 258,380 EUR (Year 2)4. Europe aid 54,055 EUR (January and

February only).

8. PLANS FOR 2005: MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

1. Continue the transfer of man-agement of the training centrethrough facilitation of permanent staffrecruitment, development of aMemorandum of Understanding withthe new Livestock Training Centremanagement and capacity-buildingsupport for the management andBoT.

2. Launch and strengthen the outreachprogramme in conjunction with theLivestock Training Centre and otherpartners.

3. Extend support to animal healthtraining previously under the SSA-HATI.

4. Develop training materials fornew courses.

5. Support strategic planning andmanagement systems for theLTC.

6. dentify new sources of funding foranimal health training and outreachprogrammes

7. Identify and develop new partner-ships for the Livestock Training andAgribusiness Programme and the LTC

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1. INTRODUCTION

The project covers the Sudan People’sLiberation Movement (SPLM)-adminis-tered areas of South Sudan and benefitsthe local livestock keepers and theirfamilies, community-based animal healthworkers (CAHWs) and veterinarians. The project was begun in November2001 and runs until April 2005. During2004, with a North-South peaceagreement on the horizon, opportunitieswere taken to support indigenous NGOsand the emerging South SudanDirectorate of Animal Resources (DAR).

2. OBJECTIVE AND APPROACH

The overall objective is to reduce povertyamong people who depend on livestockfarming by increasing productivity andthereby improving their livelihoods andfood security. The purpose of the projectis to develop appropriate systems for ani-mal disease surveillance and control toensure the total eradication of rinderpest,thereby supporting the livestock industryin South Sudan.

The project is funded by and co-ordinat-ed closely with the Panafrican Programmefor the Control of Epizootics (PACE) ofthe African Union (AU)-Inter AfricanBureau for Animal Resources (IBAR). Theproject is being carried out as part of theOperation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) commu-nity-based animal health programme. Itworks closely with DAR and co-ordinateswith the Government of Sudan PACEproject.

3. MAIN RESULTS IN 2004

During the third year the focus has beento continue to develop the systemsfor rinderpest outbreak reporting,investigation and surveillance. As aresult, data has been gathered for inclu-sion in the application to OIE for officialrecognition of freedom fromrinderpest, to maintain rinderpest emer-gency preparedness and to continue tosupport CBPP control activities.

Training was provided aboutrinderpest surveillance to animalhealth workers and veterinarians –

100 people were trained - to ensurethere is adequate capacity for surveillanceand response to disease reports. Oneveterinarian was trained in epidemiology,6 people were sponsored to attend AHAtraining and 3 for the AHA refreshertraining course. 46 CAHWs were trainedand 34 CAHWs given refresher courses.

Reports of ten possible cases ofrinderpest were received andinvestigated but no cases were con-firmed. The reports were either due tofear of rinderpest, other disease problemsor individual cases of disease similar torinderpest. In particular, three reports ofrinderpest-like disease causing significantmortality were investigated and confirmedas Malignant Catarrhal Fever.

A monthly livestock reporting sys-tem from provincial co-ordinatorsto DAR was introduced. As part ofthe active identification of rinderpest,supervisors from all counties have beencarrying out cattle camp and market sur-veillance visits. Active disease searches,which combine participatory disease seek-ing with clinical surveillance, were carriedout in seven areas that were identified asbeing high rinderpest risk.

A wildlife surveillance exercise wascarried out in Boma National Parkduring February and March in collabora-tion with AU-IBAR PACE EpidemiologyUnit, DAR, Directorate of Wildlife, NewSudan Wildlife ConservationOrganisation, VSF-Germany, the ParkWarden and Rangers and community ani-mal health workers. 48 serum sampleswere collected from white-eared kob,buffalo, eland and antelope. All sampleswere negative for rinderpest, but 2 out of3 buffaloes had PPR antibodies.

In case of a confirmed outbreak of rinder-pest, the project maintains contingencystocks of vaccine and equipment,and an outbreak contingency planhas been prepared.

The project continues to promote CBPPcontrol at training courses and co-ordi-nation meetings and supplied 428,000doses of CBPP vaccine to NGOs andother partners.

The project encouraged members ofDAR to attend meetings between Northand South Sudan about rinderpest eradi-cation issues, and to attend a borderharmonisation meeting betweenKenya, Uganda and Sudan.

The project provided additional subsi-dies of 24,000 Euro for two indige-nous NGOs to enable them to imple-ment the community-based animal healthproject programme, as well as strengthen-ing their organisation.

4. DONORS AND BUDGET

AU–IBAR PACE Programme (funded bythe European Development Fund)719,880 Euro.

5. PLANS FOR 2005

In year four the project will also continueto develop the surveillance system withinthe developing animal health servicestructure to ensure that if rinderpest virusis still present that it is identified andaction taken.If it is no longer present, sufficient materi-al will have been collected to demon-strate that Sudan is free of rinderpest.The data collected will be incorporatedinto Sudan’s application to the OIE inOctober 2005 for rinderpest-free status.

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P R O J E C T T O E R A D I C A T E L I N E A G E O N E R I N D E R P E S T V I R U SI N S O U T H S U D A N

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KENIA

1. BACKGROUND

The Turkana Livestock DevelopmentProgramme (TLDP) is implemented inTurkana District, an arid region of NorthWest Kenya. The region has a hot anddry climate with unpredictable rainfall,making the area suitable only for nomadiclivestock farming. The Turkana livestockfarmers keep various types of animals(such cattle, goats, camels, etc.) This ispart of their traditional strategy forspreading risks.

Their herds and flocks are not just asource of food, but families are also ableto sell animals to provide for theirdomestic needs. What they earn fromthese sales pays for school fees, medicaland veterinary services other non-pastoralproducts (such as sugar, salt, tea, tobacco,fabric, etc.) Logistical and financial constraints and thevastness of this remote area are the mainstumbling blocks for providing govern-ment veterinary services.

2004 was the fifth year of this programme. According to recent information, 64% ofthe total population in Turkana dependentirely on raising livestock. 16% are agro-stockbreeders and 12% are involved withfishing on Lake Turkana. The remaining8% depend on employment and small-scale businesses. The project is aimed at nomadic commu-nities numbering 104,781 people (22,809households)

2. OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the TLDP is toimprove the well-being of the local com-munities in Turkana and reduce their vul-nerability.

4 specific objectives have been set:• To promote the health of herds and

flocks• To increase the accessibility of grazing

land during the dry season• To increase the trading potential of

the livestock• To achieve better integration of the

nomadic population by involving them

in decisions that affect their owndevelopment.

The budget for this 6-year project is1,411,704 EUR. 75% of the funds comefrom BSF, 10% is provided by the EU and15% by VSF-DZG, and the Province ofFlemish Brabant and the Walloon Region.An extra 99,972 EUR has been set asidefor strengthening TUPADO.

3. RESULTS ACHIEVED

In 2004, the livestock sector was furtherdeveloped in dialogue with localcommunities:

• 49 CAHWs were monitoredand given additional training.

• The local authorities were closelyinvolved in the supervision of the ani-mal health service.

• There were annual vaccinationcampaigns of livestock againstCBPP and LSD.

• The VSF-DZG team attended 2national policy meetings andsupported consultation betweenthe private and public sector onproviding veterinary services. Tosupport the privatisation of veterinaryservices, 4 private animal health tech-nicians were trained.

• The involvement of women in theproject was stimulated throughresearch into their training needs andsubsequent skills training for 27women in organisational devel-opment, leadership and busi-ness skills.

• In 2004, the partnership withTUPADO was given greater sub-stance and the ways used to worktogether were clarified. TUPADOtook the lead in implementing effortsto build peace and prevent conflict.

• 9 peace workshops were facilitat-ed, geared towards opening up newareas for grazing and use of naturalresources.

• Work was carried out to improvethe capabilities of the traditionalAdakar Peace and Develop-ment Committees (APDC).

• Sub-surface dam technology

using clay was extensively used, test-ed and accepted by the local peopleand 7 dams of this type were con-structed.

• In June 2004, a preliminary assess-ment was conducted by the BelgianSurvival Fund, which confirmed therelevance of this project.

• The new livestock marketsincreased the income of livestockfarmers through the presence oftraders for Lodwar.

• 47 livestock traders weremonitored and given additionaltraining.

• Efforts to identify new markets inUganda bore fruit during two visitsto Moroto in Uganda, where contactswere established between traders andbusiness people.

• Support was provided for the elec-tions of the district livestockmarketing committee and mem-bers were supported financially toenable them to attend 3 workshopson leadership.

4. PLANS FOR 2005

• The first major activity in 2005 will bepreparations for TLDP II.

• Additional efforts will be made toimprove the performance of CAHWsfurther. They will be put in contactwith private suppliers of medicaldrugs. 10 new CAHWs will betrained.

• The existing subsurface dams will bemonitored and new areas identifiedfor building 7 new SSDs. Experiencewith SSDs will be shared with otherparties.

• Other techniques will be investigatedfor developing water points intendedfor areas not suited to SSD technology.

• The decentralised livestock marketingsystem will be developed further andsupport for DLMC increased.Livestock farmers and and traders willbe given training on marketing andbusiness management.

The activities relating to building peace,led by TUPADO, with emphasise thestrengthening and support of the APDCs.

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5. TURKANA EMERGENCY LIVESTOCK OFF-TAKEPROJECT

A new project under the name “TurkanaEmergency Livestock Off-take was initiat-ed in late 2004. It is part of the AridLands Resource Management Project inresponse to the drought affecting locallivestock.

This project, with a budget of 9 millionKsh, is funded by the Government ofKenya and the World Bank. It is imple-mented by VSF-DZG. It will run for 3months from December 2004 toFebruary 2005.

The primary beneficiaries are thelivestock farmers whose livestock issuffering from the drought. Thesecondary beneficiaries are school-children.

The project aims to stimulate the sale ofweakened but healthy goats to dealers inthe areas most affected by the drought.The nomads will be able to sell theirweakened animals at a fixed price, there-by reducing pressure on the envi-ronment. This will also enable them topurchase other necessities and build uptheir herd again when conditionshave improved. The goats will beslaughtered and the meat made availableto schoolchildren in specific needy institu-tions under the watchful eyes of the com-munity and the government.

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COMOROS - RWANDA

1. BACKGROUND

The archipelago of the Comoros (madeup of Great Comoro, Anjouan andMohéli) is faced with strong demographicpressure. The average population densityis one of the highest in Africa (more than330 inhabitants per km2). PADEC IIstarted when the country was goingthrough a phase of political, economic,social and institutional reconciliation.

The agricultural sector (including livestockfarming and fishing) plays a predominantrole in the national economy. The sectoroccupies 80% of the working populationand represents 40% of the GDP and thewhole of exports. Livestock plays a funda-mental socio-economic role since live-stock is the principal form of wealth inthe rural area and contributes to therestoration of soil fertility.The livestock sector is undergoing anumber of changes. There is a tendencyto specialise: some areas specialise in theproduction of feed, while others focus ondairy production.

The main target groups for this pro-gramme are: 1. Livestock keepers in general (of

whom 5000 call annually on APSA -Association des Professionnels de laSanté Animale (Association forProfessionals in Animal Health)) andthe dairy producers (integrated in thesector in Anjouan)

2. Veterinary technicians and villageagents in animal health,

3. Women involved in improved poultryfarming, and

4. The local partner.

PADEC II is part of the 5-year pro-gramme 2003-07 and is a follow-up ofPADEC (97-2001) based on the recom-mendations of the evaluation assignment.

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH

The overall objective of the programme isto improve food security for the peopleas well as improve the revenues of thefarmers through adding value to animal

production and improving livestock health.

To this end, VSF-DZG has entered into apartnership with a local NGO, theComorian Association for CommunityAnimal Health Workers and Nurses(ACTIV) and has developed aprogramme on the three islands.

The strategy is designed to produceautonomy for all the beneficiaries. ACTIVis involved in all aspects of PADEC.Training and support/advice about animalhealth and project management arefocused on the autonomy of APSA.

3. MAIN RESULTS

On Anjouan, the strengthening of ani-mal health care is being achievedmainly through two programmes: institu-tional work with the group of village vet-erinary agents and the opening of a newclinic/pharmacy in Niumakélé area.

In the three animal production sectorscovered by the project, the researchactivity and propagation of improvedlivestock techniques have contributedto improved performance.

In Niumakélé, a primary area for dairyfarming, new techniques are being usedfor the feeding and watering ofstock. Livestock keepers manufacturefeeding troughs, plant forage and try tobuy feed concentrates. All of these meas-ures contribute significantly to increas-ing the region’s dairy production.

On Great Comoro, the major resultshave been with poultry farming.

The project offers direct technical sup-port to poultry farmers by buildinghenhouses. Indirect support is also giventhrough training of facilitators.

As the result of vaccination campaignsagainst Newcastle disease, the mortalityrate among poultry has fallensharply. This is particularly important forthe women, who have seen their incomeincrease as well as their social standing.

On Mohéli, the project supports in partic-ular a group of some thirty goat keepers.

Initial results have seen a decrease inthe mortality rate of young goatsthrough the construction of shelter toprotect them from predators.

Work has also been carried out tostrengthen the technical abilitiesand skills of the animal healthagents.

4. DONORS AND BUDGET FOR 2004

The project is co-funded 85% by DGCD.The 2004 budget was 127,600 €.

5. PLAN AND BUDGET FOR 2005

2005 will begin with institutional supportto ACTIV as part of the VSF-DZG exitstrategy.Improving animal production will continuethrough the monitoring of activities begunin 2004: training livestock keepers, propa-gation improved livestock keeping tech-niques and organising organisation vacci-nation campaigns. This year, the emphasiswill be in particular on increasing produc-tion through improvement of the localgene pool.

A pilot campaign of bovine artificialinsemination in Anjouan is designed toimprove the potential of the local dairyherds. In the same way, on GreatComoro, roosters of a better breed willbe introduced to the villages.

Regarding animal health, APSA will opena new clinic in the north of the GreatComoro. Training and refresher coursesfor the veterinary technicians and villageagents will further improve the service.

The budget for the 2005 programmestands at 123,000 €.

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1. GENERAL

Rwanda is a country in which more than90 per cent of the population lives fromsubsistence agriculture. For a number ofyears, local living conditions have deterio-rated and household food security is pre-carious. Problems in the area of animaland crop production explain to a largedegree the fall in revenues and thereforethe living standards of the agro-livestockkeepers

The further development of agriculturaland livestock keeping activities in Rwandais based on the service, advice and dis-semination of information providedthrough community-based animal healthworkers working for the Ministry ofAgriculture. Unfortunately, this ministry isstruggling with a lack of resources. In thefuture, a private veterinary service andmodern agro-livestock keepers will resultin better support to livestock husbandryfor the rural population and a changefrom traditional techniques to modern-day technologies.

The Agro-veterinary school in Kabutare(EAVK) is located in the province ofButare and once enjoyed a first-rate repu-tation. After the war, the quality of thecourses declined sharply as a result of afall in the number of teachers and thetheft of equipment.

The target groups of the project are theschool and livestock keepers. Currently atotal of 247 students have graduated, aquarter of whom are women.Nevertheless, certain initiatives will havean effect on the six other schools in thecountry. Agro-livestock keepers are theindirect beneficiaries of this project,because they will use the services provid-ed by the future graduates.

2. OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH

The specific objective of the project is theimprovement of technical and animalhealth support to the agro-livestock keep-ers and a better socio-professional place-ment of graduate technicians. Attainingthat objective will lead to better foodsecurity through the growth of the live-stock sector in Rwanda.

The project is in line with the objectivesof the government, for whom educationand agriculture are two crucial pillars fordevelopment. The project will be carriedout in close partnership with the manage-ment of EAVK.

Activities are organised on two levels:• Improved support and training for

students during their course• Improvement of animal and crop pro-

duction at the school itself, to beused as teaching material and as asource of income for the school.

The project began in 2001 and is nowpart of the five-year programme 2003-2007. Since 2003, the abilities of theteaching staff have increased considerably,as a result of the review of courses, thedevelopment of teaching and educationalmaterial and the reinstatement of practicalexercises.

3. RESULTS ACHIEVED

The project consists of two main parts:The first is aimed at better training of vet-erinary technicians. This is achieved in thefirst instance by providing new curriculathat are adapted to the needs offuture employers and to the differ-ent functions that the technicians willhave to carry out during their professionallives. This work should be completed in2005 and will have a national impact ontraining.The other activities consist of develop-ing teaching and educational mate-rials. These tools will, after approval bythe local authorities, be distributed at anational level, so that training can be har-monised and have a greater impact.

The second part of the project is to pro-vide the school with appropriate edu-cational structures and the develop-ment of complementary income-gener-ating activities enabling the school tobe guaranteed of practical exercises, evenin the absence of external funding. In thecurrent phase, emphasis is being placed onthe transfer of responsibility and theschool’s financial autonomy. Two activitiesbore fruit in 2004: the production ofcattle feed concentrate and apermanent veterinary clinic.


The project is co-funded 85% by theDGCD and had a budget of 174,000euro 2004.


In 2005, the work of developing theteaching and educational support will con-tinue. To strengthen the school as aninstitute, the gradual transfer of adminis-trative and financial responsibilities to theschool management will take place. Thebudget for the 2005 action plan is158,000 euro.

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R W A N D A :S U P P O R T T O T H E A G R O - V E T E R I N A R YS C H O O L O F K A B U T A R E ( E A V K )

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MALI - NIGER NIAMEY

1. INTRODUCTION

Mali is ranked 174th out of a total of 177countries in the Human DevelopmentIndex. Agriculture and livestock farmingform the basis of the economy and 80%of the population in Mali live from them.Despite the fact that livestock is the thirdlargest export product. much livestockhusbandry is still practised in a traditionaland extensive manner.

In many areas, nomadic livestock hus-bandry remains the only way of makingany use of the semi-arid areas. The live-stock sector in Mali has great potential butis not exploited to the full. This is duemainly to the weak organisation of herds-men groups, insufficient animal healthcover and shortages of livestock feed.Imports of milk and milk products are esti-mated at 15 billion CFA francs annually.

At the national level, the government hasadopted a policy of rural development,with the emphasis on increasing anddiversifying animal production.

In the two project regions where VSF-DZG has a presence (Oualia, Kayes regionand Koumantou, Sikasso region) the localconditions and husbandry methods of thelivestock keepers do not enable them toescape chronic food shortage. The beneficiaries in Koumantou are agroup of small-scale dairy cattle herders(APLK), which is linked to groups of milksellers. In Oualia, the target group is theEGAB (Entente des GroupementsAssociés de Badumbé), a consortium ofassociated groups, representing 27 villages(12,000 people).

The project started in 1997 as part ofVSF-DZG’s first five-year programme(1997-02) and is currently incorporatedinto the second programme that runsfrom 2003-07.

As part of strategic reflection about part-nerships and a workshop with the localpartners. VSF-DZG opted for a clear-cutpolicy of partnership. This has resulted ina new partnership with the local NGO

ICD (Initiatives - Consultancy -Development). The APLK and EGABcome more under the profile of a benefi-ciary than a partner.

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTINGSTRATEGIES

The specific objective of the project is toimprove animal production through animproved, more hygienic dairy productionchain in Koumantou and Oualia. More gen-erally, the objective seeks to improve foodsecurity and achieve a higher revenue forthe target group from dairy production.

3. MAIN RESULTS

For the improvement of feed, tworevolving funds for livestock feedhave been begun, one in Oualia andthe other in Koumantou. These fundsensure that the livestock keepers canpurchase additional feed for their animalsin order to keep milk production levelsup during the dry season. These revolvingfunds are managed by the livestockkeepers themselves.

A veterinary dispensary has beenstarted in Oualia to support animalhealth. The service is functional but nev-ertheless the economic viability and thelegal status are still not fully secure.

Furthermore, the accidental death of theveterinary technician was a dramaticevent; certainly on a human level, but italso paralysed the animal health network.Production at the mini-dairy alsocame to a halt because of this incident.A participatory study with the EGAB isdesigned to demonstrate that restartingthis mini-dairy is relevant.

In Koumantou, the annual volumes ofmilk processed increased from 30 Tto 37 T between 2003 and 2004. Thedairy equipment has been modernisedwhich enables a greater quantity of milk tobe processed under more hygienic condi-tions. New sales outlets are being sought

to ensure the sale of products.


The project is co-funded 85% by DGCD.The total budget was 124,000 € for2004.


In 2005, the investment share of thebudget will be reduced in favour of pro-grammes based on “empowerment”. Theaim is to consolidate the services current-ly in place and so ensure their continuityafter 2007. The capacity-building part ofthe programme for beneficiaries and localpartner organisation will contribute toachieving this goal.

In the area of improving milk production,the livestock feed funds will be strength-ened and innovative programmes pro-posed (introduction of the concept ofmineral licks for example).

As far as the dairy is concerned (milkcollection and sale), there will be a furtherincrease in the volume processed underimproved conditions of hygiene.

Finally, the activities contributing to thestrengthening of decentralised animalhealth services (equipment and manage-ment) will be launched. The budget for the project in 2005 is119,000 euros

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1. BACKGROUND

Niger is one of the poorest countries inthe world, positioned as last-but-one inthe UN Human Development Index. Thenational economy is largely dominated byagriculture, that employs 90 per cent ofpopulation. In this sector, livestock-keep-ing is fundamental for food security. Butnotwithstanding its very important socio-economic role, both nationally and interms of the family, the sector of live-stock-keeping does not make use of itsfull potential. The reasons for this are thewait-and-see attitude and very extensiveway of live-stock keeping, as well as thelack of seasonally-related fodder.

The target group of the project is madeup of livestock-keepers who are mainly ofPeule origin, who have been based formany decades in and around the town ofNiamey. These livestock-keepers are veryvulnerable because they are subjected tothe vagaries of the climate, a reduction ofthe grazing pastures available, and a sea-sonal price speculation on feed for dairycattle.

On a national level, the government hasundertaken a policy for rebuilding thelivestock-keeping sector and the promo-tion of the dairy sector is part of thirteenpriority programmes. National milk pro-duction only caters for 50 per cent ofdemand and the country has to importimmense quantities of milk products.

The project started in 2001 and iscurrently part of the five-year plan 2003-2007.


The specific goal of the project, which isbeing implemented in partnership withthe Niger NGO AGROPAST, is toimprove milk production and the incomesof small-scale dairy cattle keepers. Theproject works with some fifteen grass-roots organisations, representing some800 dairy cattle keepers.

The overall strategy of the project isbased along four main lines:1. To work with a motivated local part-

ner (Agropast) to initiate programmesand to ensure the institutional, organi-sational and technical strengthening.

2. To encourage the setting up andstrengthening of grass-root organisa-tions of livestock-keepers, to give theman active role in the milk productionchain (institutional sustainability).

3. To strengthen the ability of livestock-keepers with regard to techniques oflivestock-keeping and management, toensure technical sustainability.

4. To develop collaboration with players inthe milk production sector and in par-ticular with the government structures.

3. MAIN RESULTS

1. Strengthening livestock keep-ers’ organisations by awarenessand training programmes and adviceto Community Based Organisations.The result has been a sounder andmore effective management.

2. Increase in milk productionthrough an improvement in thefeeding conditions of dairycattle. The project has ensures thatstocks of industrial agricultural by-products have been set aside fordemonstrations of mixed feed cul-tures and the constitution of foragereserves. Activities for the improve-ment of animal health activities andzoological behaviour are providedthrough the training of veterinaryassistants (APV).

3. The milk-production has also beenapproach in terms of awarenessabout milk hygiene. This pro-gramme is combined with makingpeople aware of gender by support-ing the women’s groups involved inthe processing and marketing of milk.

4. Strengthening of the local part-nership through training and adviceon a technical, organisational and insti-tutional level, as well as through finan-cial support.


The project is co-funded for 85% by theDGCD and the 2004 budget was153,221 € .


The activities scheduled for 2005 followthe same guidelines as for 2004.They take in account the results and rec-ommendations of the evaluation mission(July 2003) and the monitoring mission ofDecember 2004.

The project will further intensify its activi-ties in the area of animal health by trainingand setting up private veterinary assistantsand by building up vaccination equipment.

Activities pertaining to milk hygiene (dur-ing milking and milk processing) will becontinued with a new VSF-DZG project:"Healthy Milk for Niger".

The budget for 2005 is 157,000 euro.

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N I G E R - N I A M E Y :S U P P O R T T O S M A L L - S C A L E M I L K P R O D U C E R S I N T H E U R B A NA N D S U B U R B A N A R E A S O F N I A M E Y ( A P P L N Y ) – N I G E R

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NIGER PROXEL - MAURITANIA

1. BACKGROUND

Niger is a vast country (40 times the sizeof Belgium) in West Africa 2/3 of which isenclosed by the Sahara area . 75% of thepopulation in Niger lives below thepoverty line and the country has a veryhigh birth rate with an average of 8children per woman.

Agriculture is dependent on the whims ofthe climate and the agricultural produc-tion is mainly cereals.Livestock (second-largest official source ofexports) represents 35% of agriculturalGDP and 12% of total GDP. Livestockplays a very important role as the drivingforce of the national economy, as well asin the socio-economic development planof the people, particularly for vulnerablehouseholds in the rural areas.

Against this background, since 2003 VSF-DZG has been running a second 6-yearlivestock husbandry project (Proxel) inthe central part of the country.

The area of intervention for the Proxelproject encompasses two districts (Dakoroand Abalak) covering an area of 37 000km2 (larger than Belgium). This is the mostdisadvantaged part of Niger with the low-est Human Development Index (HDI)nationally (Dakoro). The demographicpressure has caused farmers to extendtheir land beyond the space initiallyreserved for livestock. This move is leadingto increased fear of territorial conflicts.

In spite of these difficulties, livestock is themain economic activity in Abalak and it isranked second in Dakoro.

The main target groups are the groups oflivestock keepers who can now make useof an animal health programme on com-munity level. Groups of women are ableto begin income-earning activities andhence improve food security, while animalhealth workers can count on support forestablishing themselves in rural areas.

2. OBJECTIVES

In order to break the spiral of poverty,the Niger government has initiated a poli-cy designed to breathe new life into thelivestock sector. The programme is called“Increasing the contribution of the live-stock sector to food security and the fightagainst poverty”.

In accordance with the national policy, thePROXEL project seeks to improve thelivelihoods (income and food security) ofthe farmers/herders in the area.

The programme seeks to improve theproduction of livestock through thestrengthening of animal health on the onehand, and the improvement of animalnutrition mainly during the dry season, onthe other hand.

The intervention strategy is based on thesetting up of a private local veterinaryservice offering zoo-technical advice andbuilding the capacity of livestock keepersand their association. The aim is to estab-lish a viable and sustainable system.

The project aims at working as much aspossible with the various players, mainorganisations, NGOs and other existingstructures in order to upgrade the experi-ence and knowledge already present.

3. RESULTS ACHIEVED IN 2004

• The setting up of an animalhealth system with 1 veterinaryclinic, 1 rural practice, 1 VeterinaryAssistant and 60 Para VeterinaryTechnicians. In 2004, 7,000 livestockkeepers were assisted.

• 2 vaccination campaigns throughprivate structures;

• Development of the animal healthnetwork and making livestock farmersaware of the importance of animalhealth;

• Improving the management(through training and support/advice)of 13 Grain Banks and 9 LivestockFeed Banks, and the installation of 2

new livestock feeders;• The structuring of 10 women’s

groups who had started up variousincome-generating activities(fattening sheep, making mineralblocks, etc.);

• For the training of 16 village agents inpoultry farming and ruminants, 192women advisers on keeping goats and14 people to spread the word aboutthe BTC goats project;


The programme was co-funded 85% bythe BSF and 15% by the Walloon Regionand VSF-DZG. The budget for 2004 is420,611 EUR.

5. PROSPECTS AND BUDGET FOR 2005

For the coming year, PROXEL aims todevelop the results achieved thus far:• Strength the various parts of the ani-

mal health service;• Support the initiatives regarding

income-generating activities for thewomen’s groups;

• Support food security activities (grainbanks, goat project, etc.)

• Strengthen the capacities of livestockkeepers (and their associations) tomanage their natural resources anddevelopment programmes.

The 2005 budget amounts to 375,403EUR.

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1. GENERAL

In spite of the positive economic signs inMauritania, more than half of its populationstill lives below the poverty line. Thecountry is ranked among the leastdeveloped in the world (according to theUNDP Human Development Index (HDI).

The economy of the country is based onthe traditional agriculture and livestocksector, the modern sector (iron andpetroleum in the near future) and fishing.Despite being dependent on a capriciousclimate, the rural sector is relatively signifi-cant since it represents 25% of thenational GDP and occupies more than60% of the working population. Livestockremains the main activity of the rural sec-tor, representing close to 80% of theagricultural production. Despite a verylow level of investment, livestock farmingcontributes 15.2% of the GDP.

The National Development Strategy ofthe Rural Sector has stated that livestockis vital in the fight against poverty.Livestock provides added value to therural area and this added value is redis-tributed (wages for herdsmen, peoplewho draw water, leather workers, etc.). Italso strengthened the traditional mecha-nisms of social solidarity. Livestock is alsocrucial for the food security of rural fami-lies, especially through the consumptionof the milk it produces.

The dairy sector has strong growthpotential as the result of national demand.The marketing of milk has also led toimportant changes in terms of the man-agement of livestock and the practices ofthe livestock keepers, and there has beenan increase in demands regarding thequality of raw milk.

The local people, who keep livestock forcommercial dairy production, mainly in thearea around the river, because this area ismore easily accessible for milk collection,occupy a fundamental function for chang-ing mindsets and improving practices.

The target group for this project is madeup of partner breeders of the ATPD

(Association of Tiviski Dairy Producers) inthe regions of Trarza and Brakna. Thiscurrently involves approximately 500breeders and their families.

Women form a special category ofproducers and represent around 15% ofdairy cattle herders. Milkers represent oneof the most vulnerable sections of thepopulation in the Sahara region, estimatedat 500 people with their families.

Concerning the high level of redistributionof the revenue generated by livestockkeeping, it is estimated that the numberof people who depend on livestock fortheir subsistence is 10 times higher thanthe number of livestock. Consequentlythe number of people affected by theproject could be approximately 15 000.


The overall objective of this project is toalleviate poverty by increasing the incomeof the rural population.

The specific objectives include seeking toimprove the dairy production of the cattlebreeders in Trarza and Brakna, as well asstrengthening the technical and operatingcapabilities of the ATPD.

Productivity is improved in four mainways: • Ensuring animal health (by developing

the livestock infrastructure);• Cutting the cost of livestock farming

(working capital and negotiations) andstabilising supplies;

• Improving animal production byimproving the know-how of herdersand milkers;

• The partnership with the ATPD.

3. MAIN RESULTS

1. Livestock health is assured by aveterinary service that meets theneeds of the breeders: the number ofvisits per month per breeder is 0.71(compared with the expected 0.75).34,822 cattle and 26,966 small

ruminants (compared with the 15,000expected respectively) have beenvaccinated.

2. The supply of livestock feedthrough the acquisition, storageand distribution of a feed stockof 37.5 tonnes (compared with theexpected 33 tons). This feed fundcontributed 21% of the total value offeed administered by the ATPD andenabled it to fully play its role instabilising the prices of feed and bet-ter availability for the breeders.

3. The ATPD consolidated itself asan association by virtue of the factthat:• 74% of the partner breeders have

access to services of the ATPD(compared with the expected50%);

• 100% of the groups of partnerbreeders have an activerepresentative.

4. The strengthening of the ATPDin terms of its technical andoperational skills through:• On-going training for the policy

abilities of the members of thetechnical coordination team onthe one hand, and the veterinarycapacities of the technical teamon the other, with a workshopfor 6 members of the technicalteam and a course on projectcycle management for members


The activity was co-funded 85% by DGCDand had a budget of 146,000 € for 2004.


Based on the sound results obtained, the2005 plan is to continue with the activi-ties undertaken in 2004 strengthening ofthe skills of the breeders in order tomaximise milk production.The budget for the 2005 action plan is138,000 EUR.

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M A U R I T A N I A :P R O J E C T T O S T R E N G T H E N T H E P R O D U C T I O N C A P A C I T I E S O FL I V E S T O C K H E R D E R S I N T R A R Z A A N D B R A K N A I N M A U R I T A N I A

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AFRIQUE / AFIKA / AFRICA

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SOUDANSOEDANSUDAN

KENYAKENIA

NIGERMALI

COMORESCOMORENCOMOROS

MAURITANIEMAURITANIËMAURITANIA

RWANDA

Met de steun van:

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B E L G I U M

AV. PAUL DESCHANELLAAN 36-38BRUXELLES 1030 BRUSSEL

BELGIQUE - BELGIË

T: +32 (0) 2 539 09 89F: + 32 (0) 2 539 34 90

[email protected]

WWW.VSF-BELGIUM.ORGWWW.DZG-BELGIUM.ORG

04 cover - dierenartsenzondergrenzen.be€¦ · to ensure increased quality of its projects,...

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