Free veterinary camps transform livestock health for Umerkot’s rural families
4,700 animals treated in life-saving initiative by AWARE
Over 4,700 animals treated in life-saving initiative by AWARE and PPAF
Umerkot, May 02, 2025 – A groundbreaking free livestock vaccination and treatment campaign has brought critical veterinary care to thousands of animals in Umerkot’s remote villages, offering a lifeline to rural families dependent on livestock for survival. Organized by AWARE in partnership with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the District Livestock Department, the initiative treated 4,710 animals, including buffaloes, cows, goats, and sheep, protecting them from deadly diseases.
A Vital Intervention for Rural Livelihoods
Livestock serves as the backbone of Umerkot’s rural economy, especially as climate change disrupts traditional farming. Yet, limited access to veterinary services has left animals—and the families relying on them—vulnerable to disease outbreaks and declining productivity.
“This campaign directly supports smallholder farmers who are struggling with recurring droughts and water scarcity,” said Dr. Aziz Ahmed, a veterinary expert involved in the project. “Healthy livestock mean better income, nutrition, and resilience for these communities.”
Bringing Care to Underserved Villages
The campaign set up four free veterinary camps in remote villages—Mian Bandi, Gul Muhammad Palli, Ghamori, and Babu Faqeer—providing vaccinations and treatments for diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), enterotoxaemia, and black quarter.
Rajab Ali, Project Manager at AWARE, highlighted the initiative’s inclusive approach, ensuring even the most marginalized families benefited. “We delivered these services free of cost and without discrimination,” he said. “By bringing veterinary care directly to farmers, we’re securing both their economic stability and food security.”
Farmers Call for Expanded Efforts
Local livestock owners have praised the initiative, urging authorities to expand such programs to sustain rural development and climate resilience. With Umerkot’s farmers facing increasing environmental challenges, accessible veterinary care remains crucial for long-term survival.
As climate pressures intensify, initiatives like these could prove vital in safeguarding Pakistan’s rural economies—one animal at a time.
