The Nuba Mountains region of Sudan’s South Kordofan state has completely lost its cold-chain system for storing and transporting veterinary vaccines and medicines, threatening efforts to prevent livestock diseases, an animal health official said.
Dr. Anwar Abdullah Angello, secretary for animal health in the Nuba Mountains region, told Radio Tamazuj in an exclusive interview that stocks of vaccines and medicines that were lost had been intended to meet the needs of 14 localities for six months.
He said the loss could have a significant impact on the livestock sector, which is a major source of livelihoods and economic activity across the region.
Angello said the main and auxiliary veterinary medicine stores were looted in June during fighting in Kauda, resulting in the loss of veterinary medicines, including anti-haemorrhagic drugs and vaccines, as well as equipment such as vaccine carriers and syringes used for vaccinations.
A second incident in August resulted in the loss of administrative assets, records and other equipment, including an integrated solar power system, he said.
“We have taken urgent measures in partnership with national organisations working in humanitarian assistance and food security to facilitate the establishment of a new vaccine stock to support disease prevention,” Angello said.
He urged livestock keepers across the region to use their own resources to obtain medicines for their animals while arrangements are being made to secure alternative supplies.
Thousands of families in the Nuba Mountains depend on livestock for food and income. The loss of veterinary vaccines and medicines has raised concerns that delays in replenishing supplies could increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks among livestock.
The Nuba Mountains region is largely controlled by the SPLA-N led by Gen. Abed-Aziz Al-Hilu.
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