The Progressive

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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Michael Booth (IFAW, Headquarters)

Tel: +1 508 744 2076

Email: mbooth@ifaw.org

IFAW Launches Emergency Feed Program in Pakistan

YARMOUTH PORT, Mass.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW, www.ifaw.org)
announced today the start of a relief program that will feed thousands
of animals impacted by the record-breaking floods that have devastated
Pakistan. IFAW has partnered with the local humanitarian group Ravi
Foundation already active in the province of Punjab.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
some 200,000 cows, sheep, buffalo, goats and donkeys have already been
lost and millions more have been affected. Flooding has now displaced an
additional one million people who often find no other option but to
leave livestock and companion animals behind. The now abandoned animals
are a principal source of livelihood for Pakistan's rural population.
Millions of flood victims are entirely dependent on the upcoming harvest
season and the vital role of draft animals to help plow the land.

"With more than four million people homeless, we know that there are
hundreds of thousands of animals affected. This program will focus on
getting feed to the most severely affected areas as quickly as
possible," said Dr. Dick Green IFAW Manager for Disasters.

In the first stage of the operation IFAW is sourcing 230 tons of
wheat straw, wheat bran and pallet feed to substitute Pakistan's
traditional animal feed of standing crops and forage that has been
washed away by the floods. The first feeding operation will target five
union councils in the Layyah District of Southern Punjab.

"Since the flash floods began, we have made assessments in different
areas in Southern Punjab," said Ashfaq Fateh, Ravi Foundation Animal
Feed Program lead. "We observed that livestock and companion animals
were neglected in the relief operations. The government vaccinated a
number of affected animals, however, there is an acute shortage of
drinking water and feed," added Fateh.

To ensure a smooth and transparent distribution of the feed, public
representatives and government officials will be present at the
Livestock District Officer's headquarters in affected areas in Layyah
district surrounds.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare works to improve animal welfare, prevent animal cruelty and abuse, protect wildlife and provide animal rescue around the world. From stopping the elephant ivory trade, to ending the Canadian seal hunt and saving the whales from extinction, IFAW works to create solutions that benefit both animals and people.