While emergency disaster responses prioritise and tackle the immediate needs of people, effective risk reduction plans sustainably address a community’s medium and long-term resilience and recovery. Such plans involve analysing and mitigating the many damaging effects of disasters that extend far beyond the initial event. For people and regions that rely on animals, this means a ‘big picture’ approach encompassing both human and animal welfare.
The world’s poorest and most vulnerable people rely heavily on livestock and working animals. And that’s not to mention the important role animals have in many societies as companions. That is why people’s resistance to and recovery from disasters is closely linked to animal wellbeing. As a result, whole communities can be helped and protected through an integrated disaster response and recovery plan that addresses the needs of both people and animals.
Effective planning and implementation is essential. It protects livelihoods, builds resilience, mitigates climate change, guarantees food security and enables long-term recovery.