AN animal disaster relief team from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has left London for Kabul on a mercy mission for the animal victims of the conflict in Afghanistan.
The initial assessment team comprised Gerardo Huertas and John Walsh, two of WSPA's most experienced staff members in dealing with animals in disasters.
The team travelled from London to lslamabad on January 9, arriving in Kabul the following day. One of their first priorities will be to address the problems of the animals at Kabul Zoo, as well as undertaking an assessment of the wider problems facing animals in Afghanistan, such as dogs now without owners roaming the streets.
The team will be well equipped to handle animal first aid, which could include treating wounds and starving and dehydrated animals. A second WSPA team followed the assessment team to Kabul in mid-January. This team comprised three members of the WSPA staff, including a vet with extensive experience of treating animals in the aftermath of disasters.
Depending on the magnitude of the problem there may be further visits by subsequent teams. WSPA has already established a regular supply of food to all the animals in Kabul zoo. However as an expert in the field of disaster relief WSPA is aware that the animal suffering in Afghanistan extends outside the zoo to livestock, draught animals and stray dogs.
John Walsh, WSPA international projects director, said, "The current crisis in Afghanistan has become a terrible tragedy for the people of the region and their animals. In situations like this, WSPA has a track record in working to address the problems facing the livestock and pet animal populations. During the previous conflict in Afghanistan, a WSPA team visited the Kabul zoo and provided medical treatment for the animals there. WSPA is committed to doing all it can to alleviate their suffering now."
One of the world's largest animal protection charities, with over 400 member societies in more than 90 countries, WSPA is the only animal welfare organisation to have consultative status at the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
