International equine charity SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) has launched an urgent appeal to help thousands of donkeys in Tanzania who have been affected by severe flooding in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in the Kigoma region of the country.
One of the largest in Tanzania, Nyarugusu refugee camp is home to more than 135,000 people mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many of these people rely on donkeys to transport goods, fetch water and provide livelihood opportunities.
The devastating floods have left the ground in the camp waterlogged. Consequently many donkeys are trapped in deep, dirty water which is causing painful lesions and infections as well as leaving the donkeys extremely weak and susceptible to disease.
SPANA is working with local partner Disability Relief Services Tanzania to respond to the crisis.
“Sadly, these donkeys are facing conditions no animal should endure,” said Jeremiah Mutagoma, the managing director of Disability Relief Services Tanzania (DRST) and project lead for SPANA.
“Donkeys are the backbone of Nyarugusu refugee camp. They transport vital supplies for hundreds of thousands of people and provide much needed livelihood opportunities.”
Rainy season looms
March is rainy season in Tanzania so there is concern that more donkeys could be affected over the coming weeks.
“The devastating floods in Tanzania have already inflicted unimaginable suffering, and the situation is worsening,” said Linda Edwards, chief executive of SPANA.
“Donkeys are in urgent need of veterinary care and shelter from the relentless floodwaters.
“As the rainy season looms closer, there is no time to waste. Immediate support is critical to protect these vital working animals and prevent further hardship.”
The aim of SPANA’s appeal is to raise funds to vaccinate the donkeys against diseases, provide them with food and clean water, provide treatment for illness and injury and to build shelters.
Click here to donate to SPANA’s appeal.
Image © SPANA.
