Cyclone Idai's forgotten victims: UK-based charity rescues TERRIFIED animals

Horrific scenes of animals drowned and crushed by the 120 mph winds of Cyclone Idai and the catastrophic floods that followed in their wake have been confronting emergency rescue teams. The human death toll has reached 865, with more than three million people affected across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Yet for many survivors, the loss of livestock and pets – the death toll for animals could run into the millions – has only compounded the tragedy.

Response teams from British-based charity World Animal Protection are working in disaster zones where families were forced to abandon precious livestock and cherished pets as they were being evacuated by humanitarian missions.

The charity’s field teams have been caring for cattle herds at Mozambique’s leading dairy farm, responsible for 94 per cent of the country’s milk, and where the storm crushed countless calves against fences.

Clifton Meadows manager Ondela Voorslag gave a graphic description of the scenes witnessed, explaining: “It was chaotic. The animals were running up and down the hills, desperately trying to get away from the wind, but there was no escape.

“The roof was lifting up and down and the walls were wet on the inside, so I was afraid. I have never experienced anything like this before.”

Up to 30,000 families are being helped by WPA’s experienced field workers. One team that brought antibiotics, painkillers and veterinary kits to the city of Chimoio, close to the Zimbabwean border, treated 2,500 cattle, pigs, dogs and cats in one day.

Response teams have been providing inductions for Mozambiue vets so they can treat disaster hit animals. WPA experts are also working in Malawi and on standby to help in Zimbabwe.

Gerardo Huertas, World Animal Protection, programme director for animals in disasters, said:  “Our priority is helping the animals who are in desperate need – those that are injured, starving or dehydrated and at high risk  of disease, so they do not become a second wave of victims. 

 “Animals are often the forgotten victims in disasters, but local communities who survived this catastrophe will only suffer more if they have no animals or livestock to help them long after the aid has gone, for their livelihoods, transport, food and company.”

Millions are animals are likely to be impacted by the catastrophic cyclone which separated them from their owners and left them injured, stressed and vulnerable to disease as well as being without food or clean drinking water.

WPA explains how previous experiences from cyclones and floods have left the charity patently aware of the impacts on both human and animal survivors. It has responded to 250 disasters over the past 54 years, providing aid to more than seven million animals.

A WPA pokesperson said: “Sadly, millions of animals suffer in disasters each year. Our previous experience of cyclones and floods tells us that owners are often unable to care for their animals. 

“Livestock and pets are left exposed in the immediate days and weeks after a disaster, often to standing water and sun or heavy rains which pose health risks from disease and prolonged stress. Specifically, animals can become affected by foot rot, digestive and respiratory diseases as well lack of access to clean drinking water.  

“While disaster response rightly prioritises people’s immediate needs, the long-term recovery from disasters is inextricably linked with the well-being of their animals. Communities  in this area  heavily rely on agriculture to make ends meet and in this critical stage, saving animals affected by the flooding will provide stability for their future.”

To help WPA efforts in Southern Africa, see www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/Cyclone-Idai

source: express.co.uk