Belgium supports FAO in providing emergency assistance to small-scale livestock farmers in flood-affected communities in Bangladesh

In August 2017, unprecedented flooding affected over 8 million people across 32 districts of Bangladesh, damaging nearly 620 000 houses and causing the death of 145 people. Critical damage and loss were reported to the livestock sector, particularly to hay and fodder, causing livestock owners in the affected districts to face serious feed shortages. Aquaculture was also severely affected with incidents of fish disease.

Although the value of livestock is often overlooked during disaster relief operations, it plays a crucial role in flood-affected rural communities of Bangladesh. Livestock are not only a source of food and animal protein, but also a valuable asset, serving as a store of wealth, collateral for credit and an essential safety net during crises. Supporting livestock farmers is thus essential to strengthen their resilience.

In response, thanks to the Belgian contribution, through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities − Agriculture Inputs Response Capacity, FAO is protecting the livelihoods of small-scale livestock farmers in the most flood-affected districts. The intervention provides up to 10 000 flood-affected households with emergency livestock inputs, such as concentrate feed for small ruminants, and deworming and vaccination, benefiting over 4 000 animals. 

Throughout project implementation, FAO also promotes the collaboration between government agencies, civil society and flood-affected communities to reinforce their capacities to better prevent and respond to future flood events threatening livestock based-livelihoods.