The role of Veterinary Services in areas of conflict

Abstract

Armed conflict significantly impacts livestock production, animal health, public health, and the delivery of Veterinary Services by limiting resources, eroding border control, disrupting land use, impairing disease surveillance, and reducing food safety and quality. Those seeking to build capacity in animal health in areas of conflict should focus on strengthening resilience in animal production systems and animal health infrastructure to minimise the devastating effects of conflict. Methods for reconstructing Veterinary Service systems should be tailored to each country's specific needs. These can be determined through participatory assessment, with a focus on building sustainable relationships among all stakeholders. Although it is tempting for animal health professionals to focus primarily on improving animal health on individual farms or targeting specific diseases, attention should be centred on entire systems and on developing sustainable agricultural improvements that will enhance livelihoods on a national scale. Aiding economic growth can also help to lower the probability of future conflict.