The Brooke - Brooke work in Israel and the West Bank

Country profile

Situated next to the Mediterranean Sea, Israel borders Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Although relatively small, Israel is home to a variety of geographic features, from the Negev desert in the south to the mountain ranges of the Galilee, Carmel, and the Golan in the north. Palestinian territories include Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea and the West Bank, which borders Jordan on its eastern side. Brooke works solely in Palestinian villages in Israel and the West Bank.

Israel has a population of just over 7 million and its exports include chemicals and agricultural products. Palestine (including Gaza and the West Bank) has a population of 4 million and exports mainly citrus fruits*.

Working horses, donkeys and mules in the region tend to be used by farmers needing to move their produce to market. They are also increasingly used as draft animals for transporting people and goods.

Current situation

A horse in poor physical condition © Brooke

The population of horses, donkeys and mules in the Palestinian villages of the West Bank and Gaza has grown considerably in recent years. It is thought there are now over 100,000 animals working there.

A driving force behind this growth is the worsening economic situation. Transport by vehicle has become too expensive for many Palestinians so horses, donkeys and mules have become a more affordable alternative.

The poor economy is causing problems like overwork, a lack of appropriate food and an inability to pay for vet treatment.

Making a difference

Brooke’s approach to working with the neediest working horses, donkeys and mules means that during 2009 and 2010 more of our work will take place in the West Bank. We work there in partnership with Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) and Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land.

Brooke’s is using PARC’s extensive experience of rural development in the West Bank to guide and coordinate efforts. It is there - in the regions of Qalqilya, Jenin and Nablus - that we are intensifying our work.

Community involvement

We are engaging and organising local communities so that people can get affordable and appropriate vet services for their loyal and hardworking animals.

For example, in the Qalqilya region, our main activities will involve:

• mobile vet teams covering 39 communities
• supporting local equine welfare services through training and equipment
• community training and development
• supporting Donkey Owner Clubs and service centres
• operating a schools programme
• vet training in collaboration with Al Najah University
• farrier training so animals have better hoof care

Given the practical challenges of working in the West Bank, we believe progress is impressive - particularly the training undertaken with local vets and educational work with local schools.

Through the work of our mobile teams, our community animal health training and awareness raising, our schools programme and local vet and farrier training, the amount of animals who benefitted from our work reached 18,000.

* BBC World Service country profile