The Brooke - Brooke Work in Afghanistan

Country profile

Afghanistan’s climate is generally arid or semi-arid, with cold winters and dry, hot summers. Depending on the location, winter temperatures can drop to –15° C and summer temperatures can rise as high as 49° C.

Many of Afghanistan’s 28.2 million population work to produce its main exports - fruit, nuts, carpets and wool. According to a 2003 census*, there are over 1 million horses, donkeys and mules in Afghanistan. The Brooke classes many of these animals as vulnerable because they work in difficult conditions – pulling and carrying loads in brick kilns and urban areas.

Despite rugged, mountainous and forbidding terrain, Afghanistan’s strategic position - sandwiched between the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent - means that Afghanistan has long been fought over. As a result, people have often endured chronic economic instability and the country’s infrastructure is in a very poor state.

Current situation

Afghanistan’s people and animals face the effects of terrible poverty. On the 2004 Human Development Index, it ranked 174 out of 178, making it the poorest country in which Brooke works.

For many people, access to specialised treatment for their horses, donkeys or mules is limited because there are significant gaps in skill levels, resources and understanding of animal welfare across the country.

At a local level, Brooke is working with NGOs (Non Government Organisations) to develop the vet and business skills of paravets and ‘basic veterinary workers’ by establishing privatised veterinary field units (VFUs). A VFU can be anything from a simple shed, bicycle or motor cycle with some basic drugs and vet equipment, to a relatively costly shop or clinic.

Making a difference

The overall goal of the project is to measurably improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules in Afghanistan.

The Brooke persuades key institutions and organisations to include the welfare of working horses and donkeys in their work, in order to extend the range and impact of our work. We also work with local partners - using local knowledge and existing infrastructures enables us to treat more animals, and to reach their owners with relevant support.

To achieve this we have extended our work for animals in Afghanistan through local partners. Currently, we work with the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA) and Afghan Aid to establish sustainable healthcare for horses and donkeys

In 2009, and continuing in 2010 through our work with DCA we will be:

helping to train paravets** from the remote Balkh, Badakshan and Herat provinces
developing animal welfare knowledge, positive attitude and practice of 700 animal owners in the three provinces mentioned above
improving the working and living conditions of up to 600 working animals within Kabul, the capital city, by working with local communities and existing service providers

* FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) Census 2003

** Paravets in Afghanistan are generally more experienced in dealing with animals than the vets themselves, but are unlikely to have any significant equine expertise. Paravets therefore receive six months basic training from Brooke partners Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA).