Humanitarian response urged as animal deaths surge in Unity State

BENTIU – The Unity State Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Forestry has recorded 117,750 animal deaths in 2024 due to devastating floods and oil pollution, contributing to environmental degradation.

This year, several animals are dying, and others are still suffering from strange diseases in northern Unity State, especially in the counties of Rubkona, Mayom, and Guit, prompting the humanitarian agency Veterinary San Frontier (VSF) to carry out massive animal vaccinations.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Wednesday, the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Forestry, Wadar Yak Mok, said that at least 117,750 animals have died from strange diseases accompanied by devastating floods and oil pollution in the first two months of 2024 alone.

“Within this new year alone, we have recorded 117,750 animal deaths, and this is because of flooding, oil pollution, and environmental degradation. Not only are animals dying, but trees are also drying up, and we will soon face desertification as floodwaters recede,” he said.

He urged humanitarian livelihood agencies to plan ahead to rescue animals from diseases, leaving herders vulnerable as their lives depend on animals.

“Actually, what brought about these animal deaths is flooding mixed with oil chemicals, and that is why you sometimes hear about deformations in children being born with missing parts and strange babies,” he stated.

Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Forestry, in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), organized three weeks of carcass collection in Bentiu and Rubkona towns.

In the last year’s report, more than 100,000 animals died in seven counties of Unity State, but within the new year, 117,750 animals have died within a two-month period.

In response to the animal deaths, the humanitarian Livelihood agency Veterinary San Frontier VSF Unity State Field Office promised to carry out another massive animal vaccination within the seven counties of Unity State.