A group from Brazil, specialized in animal rescue, is on the African continent for voluntary work in Mozambique, country where torrential rains in January caused one of the country’s biggest floods in the century.
In total, more than 120 people were killed and up to 800,000 people were affected, according to the UN.
In Mozambique, Brazilians from Grad (Disaster Animal Response Group) began providing guidance to the population and clinical care for animals that were sick as a result of the floods.
Grad’s main assistance was in Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province, located in southern Mozambique, about 210 km from Maputo, In this city alone, more than 50 thousand are in makeshift shelters in complex situations.
“We understand that assistance was not even able to reach all regions of the country, especially at this stage now when the world stops looking, they will not be able to bring enough logistical resources to do this [auxílio aos animais]”, says volunteer Enderson Barreto, a veterinarian.
The country faces problems delivering resources to all affected places. The biggest concern of the NGO, which is providing care to herds of both cattle and goats, is the crowding of animals at higher points where water has not reached and this can lead to the emergence of infectious diseases.
The impact on the population could generate a severe hunger crisis, because herds are the basis of the economy of these regions, as well as crops.
“Now we are building a plan to block these herds, immunize these animals, to cut the cycle of disease transmission and guarantee the health of these herds and, consequently, people as well”, says Barreto.
Rescue operations
The group is responsible for more than 100 operations, assisting at least 50,000 animals. The project prioritizes life, so, whatever the type of animal, assistance will be provided, in total, 20 thousand species were served.
According to the organizers, one of the team’s missions is to welcome animals that are victims of climate events, extremes and humanitarian crises. The Group is led by veterinarian Carla Sássi.
After rescue, the sheltered animals need to return to their habitat or adapt, the NGO works to reinsert the rescued animals into the communities they live in or send them for adoption.
The more than 100 volunteers are made up of technicians trained to work in different situations.
