Cattle owners in Kapoeta North County, Eastern Equatoria State, will soon no longer be traveling to faraway places to get their animals treated for various diseases after construction of a veterinary clinic in the area.
The Food and Agriculture Organization has just started construction of the health facility, about a year after local authorities submitted a project proposal to African Development Bank through FAO.
“We presented this project or activity to African Development Bank through FAO. They were able to approve our plan, which includes WASH, agriculture and animals health. They started with construction of veterinary clinic,” said Emmanuel Lolimo, county commissioner.
There are tens of thousands of heads of cattle in the cattle, according to local officials. Owners have been dependent on neighboring Kenya for animal drugs and vaccines.
The foot and mouth disease is said to be the commonest animal disease in the area.
The veterinary clinic, which Lolimo described as “very big”, will be equipped with solar-power fridges for storing vaccines. Its construction is expected to be complete in two months.
“This is the first of its kind in the area. It is going to be of great help to the community because the cattle keepers will have healthy livestock for human consumption and commercial activities,” Lolimo explained.
In South Sudan, livestock provide food, income and security. They also serve as a currency for payment of dowry, dispute settlement and, in the absence of an established banking sector, constitute a reliable means of securing assets.