Halting the spread of disease and helping livestock farmers in Liberia
The project was implemented in response to an outbreak in four counties of Liberia of Pestedes PetitsRuminants(PPR) or Sheep and Goat Plague, a devastating disease affecting small ruminants. A widespread vaccination programme was put in place, awareness raised on ways of stopping the spread of the disease and the resilience of farmers strengthened.
What did the project do
Following the investigation and laboratory inspection of a number of blood samples, a vigorous vaccination campaign against the PPR was carried out in the affected counties of Liberia. The vaccinations were coupled with a broader campaign to raise the awareness of affected farmers, through workshops, training and intensive sensitization on the methods to adopt in the event of such outbreaks, such as the establishment of quarantine measures. Amid a backdrop of scarce knowledge of disease management and traditional beliefs, the project was successful in reaching a large number of farmers and spreading information on response to this and other animal diseases, strengthening resilience and boosting livelihoods in the process.Impact
The achievements of the project demonstrated that that the spread of PPR could be halted in high-risk communities. This had a direct positive impact on livestock farmers’ livelihoods and the nutritional security of the population in target areas, as well as increasing resilience to disease in future. Increased confidence in the farming community in Liberia means that future animal health and food security challenges can be faced in the knowledge that livelihoods need not necessarily suffer, as greater awareness is in place.Activities
- 58 867 sheep and goats belonging to around 15 600 farmers were vaccinated.
- Border checkpoint health inspectors and quarantine officers trained in disease recognition and control.
- Five livestock officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and 45 animal health workers trained to collect blood samples, conduct vaccination and recognize clinical signs of PPR.
- Flyers, leaflets and other communications materials produced and spread during workshops and town hall meetings to raise awareness on responses to animal diseases.
- Workshop held to strengthen capacities in the fields of preventive vaccination methods, disease recognition/surveillance and reporting. 60 officials benefited from the workshop.
Project symbol: TCP/LIR/3504
Project title: Emergency assistance for the control of Pestedes PetitsRuminants
Contact: FAO Office in Liberia
Email: [email protected]
Download PDF: http://www.fao.org/3/a-bs188e.pdf