VSF Switzerland - Livelihood Puntland Somalia

Project completed

Somalia continues to face food insecurity with more than 860'000 people in need of assistance. One of the identified reasons for this is the lack of adequate veterinary health service causing not only a decrease of available food for the local population but also hampering the high-potential livestock exports, preventing the country to develop. With this intervention along with its partner VSF, SDC aims to improve veterinary services in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, thus improving the main livelihood of its inhabitants.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Horn of Africa
Somalia
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Reconstruction and rehabilitation (till 2016)
15.05.2014 - 15.10.2015
CHF 520'000
Background

Somalia, mainly characterized by drylands, is struggling with recurrent climatic shocks such as droughts and floods with increasing frequency. In addition to weak institutions, these factors have caused food insecurity to become a major threat to the country's population and is also hampering the country's high-potential livestock sector. The semi-autonomous state of Puntland heavily depends on livestock both for export and subsistence. The pastoral areas of Puntland are characterized by inadequate or total absence of veterinary services, due to brain-drain and limited veterinary education possibilities.

Objectives

Enhanced livelihoods due to improved livestock production arising from better animal health services

Target groups

The main beneficiaries for this project are the pastoralists and veterinary service providers (Public and private) in the three regions of Puntland:

  • 48'000 livestock owners (8'000 HH),
  • 100 Nomadic Animal Health Auxiliaries
  • 10 Veterinary drug store owners,
  • 40 Public and private veterinarians and veterinary assistants.

Total: 48,150 beneficiaries.

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Reduced livestock disease burden on pastoralists of Puntland

Outcome 2: Strengthened capacity of public and private animal health providers

Results

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Improved access to veterinary services

Output 1.2: Increased awareness on zoonotic diseases

Output 2.1: NAHAs and local vet pharmacies receive training to improve their capacity to provide veterinary services

Output 2.2: Public and private vets/vet assistants adequately equipped with the knowledge required for control of livestock diseases


Results from previous phases:  

The two previous phases (ER-SOLAFA)1 mainly focused on IDPs and food aid because of the humanitarian needs resulting from the 2010/11 drought. However, previous VSF Puntland Pastoral Project (PPP), co-funded by SDC resulted in the establishment of private veterinary service delivery in pastoral areas through a network of NAHAs2 and veterinary drug stores. Ten veterinary drug stores were established, six of them providing services in different areas of Puntland. The external evaluation of ER-SOLAFA assessed the network of NAHAs established by the PPP project positively and recommended the strengthening of this network for future phases.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
Foreign academic and research organisation
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Other Academic Research North
  • Vétérinaires sans Frontières Suisse


Coordination with other projects and actors

UNOCHA (Food security cluster)

NGO Consortium Puntland

Ministry of Livestock and Animal Husbandry (MoLAH)

Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC)

Puntland Livestock Professional Associations (PULPA)

Sheik Veterinarian school

Somali Livelohood and food Assistance project (ECHO, SDC)

VSF Switzerland Ethiopia Livelihood project

Food Security Cluster Somalia

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   520'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   500'161 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF  920'000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF  1'440'000
Project phases

Phase 3 15.05.2014 - 15.10.2015   (Completed)

Phase 2 01.04.2012 - 31.03.2014   (Completed)