“Peace is not only the absence of battle, however the presence of compassion. After we look after animals, we look after one another, which is a strong catalyst for peace.”
This was the highly effective and passionate message from Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Yadav, the Deputy Commander of the Indian peacekeeping battalion serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan within the conflict-affected Higher Nile area.
He was talking concerning the distinctive strategy to selling peace taken by Indian peacekeeping veterinarians who’re treating a various vary of animals belonging to communities at devoted camps all through the area.
“These camps are instrumental in illness surveillance, supporting early warning techniques, and stopping potential outbreaks. By specializing in sustaining wholesome livestock, veterinary camps contribute to meals safety. This, in flip, enhances the prospects of peace and growth,” says Lt. Col. Yadav.
In South Sudan, cattle are each a useful commodity and a part of the cultural identification. They symbolize wealth, fertility and even a non secular connection. Nonetheless, they can be a driver of battle, as communities fighting the dire financial and humanitarian scenario in addition to extraordinary flooding, struggle over entry to land and water and raid cattle from one another.
To deal with this downside, the UNMISS peacekeepers have handled practically 15,000 cattle up to now 9 months in addition to numerous different animals valuable to the folks of South Sudan.
“These occasions will not be merely about animal care, but in addition function a platform for encouraging cooperation amongst completely different communities, aiming to scale back tensions and promote mutual understanding,” mentioned Lt. Col. Yadav.
For instance, John Marten, from the Shilluk group, attended the Malakal Veterinary Heart with Aben Mirial, a member of the Dinka group. Whereas these two communities have a historical past of battle, the 2 cattle herders got here with a collective need to enhance the well being of their livestock by studying worldwide greatest practices in animal husbandry. This illustrates the ability of harnessing widespread pursuits to construct belief and confidence between numerous communities.
The peacekeepers additionally present coaching to Neighborhood Animal Well being Staff which empowers native communities to be self-reliant and reduces dependency on exterior help. This contributes to long-term stability by strengthening native capacities and resilience.
The motto of the Indian battalion is that “even within the darkest of occasions, the best acts of compassion and kindness can have a profound influence.”
These peacekeepers consider that by bringing communities collectively, fostering belief and selling cooperation, the veterinary camps can play a transformative position in constructing a harmonious society in a rustic ravaged by battle and instability.
“By therapeutic the animals, we actually consider we’re therapeutic the hearts of the youngest nation on this planet, which is able to result in a extra peaceable, extra affluent, and extra united South Sudan,” mentioned Lt. Colonel Yadav.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).