BOR – A two-week livestock vaccination campaign is currently underway in Jonglei State, supported by UN agencies to protect against East Coast Fever and other critical diseases affecting cattle, sheep, and goats.
The campaign was launched on Friday, August 22, by Jonglei Acting Governor John Chuol and attended by delegations from the Ministry of Livestock, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Indian Ambassador to South Sudan, and the Indian Contingent serving under UNMISS.
Acting Governor Chuol urged cattle keepers to embrace agricultural development as a pathway to improved living standards, and commended partners for their support.
“As a government, we are committed to increasing the livestock sector’s contribution to GDP from the current 12% to 20%. Today’s launch is a bold step toward that goal,” Hon. Chuol stated.
On his part, the state’s Secretary General Kur Ayuen Kou highlighted the urgency of tackling East Coast Fever and thanked the Indian Battalion for initiating this lifesaving intervention.
The Indian Ambassador emphasized that the vaccination exercise is voluntary and will be repeated to ensure sustained impact. He praised the proactive engagement of the Jonglei State Government, noting that the campaign was born out of a request made months earlier by the governor and now stands as a testament to fruitful cooperation.
The campaign aims to vaccinate 5,000 cattle against East Coast Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease and other high risk diseases in sheep, goats against Peste des Petits Ruminants
UNMISS Head of Office, Madam Geetha Pious, reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to safeguarding communities and supporting peacebuilding efforts.
