Governor of Manica Province, Francisca Tomás, during her speech at the ceremony

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER), will support more than 40,000 vulnerable families in the implementation of animal health measures in areas affected by Cyclone Idai, in central Mozambique.

The support, valued at US $ 1.2 million financed by the Government of Mozambique in partnership with the World Bank, consists of the free distribution of veterinary supplies such as vaccines, drugs, medicines, instruments and equipment to the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Tete and Zambézia.

So far, 12 thousand liters of drug drug have been purchased, of which about half have been distributed. In addition, 250 thousand doses of vaccines for immunizing cattle against Nodular Dermatosis and Rift Valley Fever and 100 thousand doses of rabies vaccine for the immunization of dogs and cats that endanger human lives were acquired and distributed.

Various medicines, instruments and veterinary equipment that make up the veterinary "Kit" used to provide health care to different animal species, especially cattle, small ruminants, pigs and birds, will also be distributed.

In addition, another 200,000 doses of rabies vaccine are being purchased to be used to strengthen preventive measures against rabies in the country, through the immunization of dogs and cats.

The allocated veterinary supplies are being used for:
• Vaccination campaigns;
• Acaricide baths;
• Other veterinary treatments.

In the Manica province, where 13,500 families will be covered in the districts of Mossurize, Sussundenga, Macate, Vandúzi, Gondola and Chimoio, was held today a symbolic ceremony for the delivery of livestock kits, led by the Governor of the Province, Francisca Tomás.

During the event held in the administrative post of Dombe, district of Sussundenga, Francisca Tomás, appealed to livestock producers and promoters to continue their activities respecting the prevention measures of the new Coronavirus.
"Each of us must protect ourselves to protect the other. We will continue to produce and face this disease as something normal because we do not know when it will end "she said.

FAO is also supporting the training of technicians from the District Services for Economic Activities (SDAEs) who provide health care to livestock animals in affected districts through the training of livestock promoters.

With the implementation of these health care actions, it is expected that the risk of outbreaks of some diseases will be reduced, especially those that are transmissible to man, such as the cases of rabies and fever in the Rift Valley.