FAO sustains support to Uganda’s Desert Locust response
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Boosts livelihoods of affected farmers through mass vaccination and feed
Moroto – Uganda is one of the countries on high alert for Desert Locust due to the ongoing Desert Locust invasion in the neighboring East African countries, some of which are facing the second wave of locusts since 2020. Immature swarms have been reported in 17 counties in Kenya and some counties, such as Turkana, share a border with Uganda. The porosity of the East African borders makes it possible for animals to cross from one region in a given country to another especially to look for water and pasture, and in this process, movement of animals takes place. One of the unfavorable effects of this cross-border movement is the spread of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as Foot and Mouth Disease, peste des petits ruminants and African Swine Fever.
As part of its support to Uganda’s Desert Locust response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is carrying out massive vaccination exercise in the Karamoja sub-region of northeastern Uganda and the neighboring districts, to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease. A total of 130 000 doses of FMD vaccine has been donated to MAAIF for this vaccination exercise. The first consignment of 50 000 doses has been allocated to ten districts (all nine districts of Karamoja and Bukwo district in eastern Uganda). The vaccination exercise with the 50 000 doses was conducted from February to March 2021, during which about 4 8,000 heads of cattle were vaccinated in Karamoja and Bukwo districts. These regions are part of the cattle corridor and are most prone to FMD from cross-border cattle movement. The second consignment of 80 000 doses of FMD vaccine is allocated to 12 districts that share borders with Karamoja sub-region. The exercise will be completed in June 2021. The vaccination exercise, which was conducted with technical support from FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) team in Uganda, is part of FAO’s livelihoods assistance, namely: livestock, crop protection and cash assistance.
Speaking at the launch of the mass vaccination exercise in Moroto on 25 February 2021, Dr Anna Rose Ademun- the Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) thanked FAO for supporting the Government of Uganda to protect the income and food sources of cattle-rearing communities. According to Dr Ademun, FMD is one of the biggest challenges to the livestock sector in Uganda and being able to prevent its spread is very important. She thanked the farmers for bringing their animals for vaccination and urge them to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of sick animals.
Michael Lokiru, FAO’s Head of Office in Moroto, commended the good relationship between FAO and MAAIF and emphasized FAO’s commitment to supporting the livelihoods of the people affected by Desert Locust.
FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease transmitted through multiple routes and hosts, which makes it one of the most important diseases affecting the livestock trade. Disease outbreaks increase the cost of animal production, reduce milk and beef yield, affect local /international trade through restrictions or low prices of milk and meat, affecting farmers’ incomes, and the profitability of the entire livestock enterprise.
According to Paul Kidon, the Chairman of Moroto District Farmers Association, “once FMD affects the community, it wrecks a lot of havoc in the community”. ”FMD is a serious problem in the cattle-keeping communities in the predominantly pastoralist Karamoja and the vaccination will help the farmers significantly”, he said.
Also present at the launch of the vaccination exercise were Charles Komakech- Chief Administrative Officer of Moroto District, Dr. Francis Inangolet- District Production and Marketing Officer, Moroto District, Dr. Moses Okino- District Veterinary Officer for Moroto District, Peter Ochepa Ekiru - Executive Director of SORUDA- a local non-governmental organization working with FAO in the affected areas, and FAO staff Peter Okaje - Livelihoods Programme Associate and Dr Justin Okwir- National Animal Production Specialist.
“The economy of this region depends on animals and if any assistance is to be given to the people of Karamoja, this assistance should seriously consider helping communities to improve the productivity of their animals”, said Komakech.
The vaccination exercise was conducted on the heels of the Detailed Livelihoods Impact Assessment by FAO, to assess the impact of Desert Locusts on livelihoods in affected areas across 23 districts in Acholi, Elgon, Karamoja, Lango and Teso sub-regions. The assessment provided information on food security and socio-economic indicators, to guide Desert Locust control measures and reduce the impact on livelihoods of the communities.
FAO also donated livestock packages, comprising hay bales and multi-nutrient mineral blocks (four blocks per household, with each block weighing 5 Kg) for supplementary feeding and better health of animals in the affected communities. Overall, 5 000 households will benefit from livestock supplementary feeding. An additional support to the affected animal rearing communities included hay balers for making the hay, distribution of pasture seeds to promote fodder production and treatment of animals against ticks and worms and provision of multivitamins to boost the health of sick and weak animals in the semi-arid Karamoja sub-region.
FAO’s Desert Locust response in Uganda is supported by the Russian Federation, the German Humanitarian Assistance, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, the Government of the Netherlands, the Government of Canada, the Swiss Confederation, Republic of China, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).