Pakistan Floods 2011

Severe flooding has caused massive damage in Sindh province in the south of the country, killing over 250 people and displacing millions.

Nearly 80,000 animals have died, close to 6,000 of them working horses, donkeys or mules. The lives of hundreds of thousands of animals are now at risk from water-borne diseases, acute respiratory diseases, diarrhra, dysentery, and malaria.

Many working animals have been involved in rescuing their owners’ families and possessions. Donkey carts transported heavy loads of domestic goods, left over grains, and whole families to relief camps.

"Without the help of these neglected animals the chance of our rescue and staying alive were very dim," said Rajomal, one of the millions affected.

How the Brooke is helping?

A Brooke flood response team left Karachi on Friday 16 September in a vehicle containing veterinary medicine supplies for around 2000 animals, first aid kits for humans and animals, vaccinations and food supplements.

The journey to Umerkot, which would normally take 3-4 hours, took over 15 hours as the heavy flooding made roads impassable.

Immediately on its arrival the Brooke team began coordinating relief efforts with local partner Thar Rural Development Program (TRDP) and government livestock department.

The following day, treatment centers were established in two of the main camps, where survivors have collected.

The Brooke team provided veterinary treatments to over 100 equines and some livestock. Anti-Tetanus Toxin (ATT) vaccinations were also administered. The team also provided first aid treatment to a young girl who was brought to them by her father on a donkey cart as a human medical doctor was not available.

The number of animals in need will increase as the team moves further into the disaster struck areas in the coming days.