A year later, helping the animal victims of Haiti

A year after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) takes stock of all the hard work to provide assistance to animals and rebuild the veterinary infrastructure of that country, looking for that Haitians are better prepared to protect animals from which both depend.

After the earthquake, the WSPA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) came together to form the Coalition for Animal Rescue in Haiti, an effort to better coordinate the work of animal welfare organizations. Acting as one, members of the coalition worked closely with Haitian government officials, United Nations and other international agencies to address the country's most pressing problems in their animals. When organizing a team of mostly Haitian, the Coalition established a rapport with government officials.

In one year, the Coalition for Animal Rescue in Haiti has established a mobile veterinary clinic that allows veterinarians trained to move through the earthquake-affected areas and provide medical care to tens of thousands of dogs, cats, goats, horses, cattle and other animals. Through the clinic, the team offered the vaccine and treatments directly to more than 50,000 animals, thus ensuring economic recovery of the families who depend on them for sustenance. The coalition also has helped rebuild vital infrastructure in Haiti, as the National Veterinary Laboratory facilities, and has also established 12 refrigeration units powered by solar energy, which are of vital importance for the storage and distribution of vaccines to temperatures appropriate, making possible vaccination of any animal, even in the remotest parts of the country.

By vaccinating animals against serious zoonotic diseases such as rabies and Newcastle disease, the Coalition for Animal Rescue in Haiti has indirectly protected humans as well. By offering treatment for animal parasites, have prevented outbreaks of diarrhea, which may have exacerbated the problem of cholera.

The Coalition for Animal Rescue in Haiti also launched a public awareness campaign to educate Haitians about disaster preparedness and health issues related to pets and livestock, and has worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Development Rural to build capacity to support and monitor animal health. The team has worked with the ministry when surveillance of suspected cases of rabies and will be able to react quickly in the event of another emergency. It has also begun training to veterinarians in order to build a risk-reduction efforts based on the community to help prepare for the future.

Thanks to ELESPECTADOR