With the new year well underway, we have the chance both to look forward with hope and to look back on last year’s achievements. In this summary of 2024, we would like to share ten special moments that embody the mission of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium.
March
JAGROS day
On 13 March, we organised the JAGROS day in partnership with Humundi and five agricultural colleges in Wallonia. The theme of this day was raising awareness of food sovereignty and the sustainability of agricultural systems. 472 students explored the crucial role of farmers and NGOs in these areas through interactive workshops, and Cyril Dion – famous for directing the films Tomorrow and Animal – motivated everyone to think about the future of our food system.
Students in Ghent focus on agricultural transformation
On 18 March, 129 students in Ghent gathered to think about the future of food and agricultural systems. The organisations Solidagro, Voedsel Anders Vlaanderen, the department of Agro- and Biotechnology at HOGENT and the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University teamed up to engage in open dialogue on the transition to a more sustainable food system and the role of agro-ecology as a sustainable solution.
Students from HOGENT and Ghent University consider the future of our food system. © Tim Buhck
Fighting rabies together in Abalak, Niger
Given the threat of rabies in Abalak, we supported the local authorities with three important activities: an awareness-raising campaign, a vaccination campaign for dogs and training for professionals in how to treat rabies. We aim to reinforce prevention and management of this deadly disease with these initiatives, in which we are also actively involving the local communities.
Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium is fighting rabies by training professionals locally.
April
From training to a microbusiness in Benin
In 2024, we trained 35 young people and women in improved techniques for poultry keeping, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship. The training combined technical knowledge with essential entrepreneurial skills, such as business management and practical application. Besides offering the participants economic self-sufficiency, it also provides the means to build sustainable, profitable companies. As one of them explained: “During training, I learned how to keep livestock and became proficient in tools and techniques. Thanks to this training, I have the ambition to be the first and biggest female poultry keeper in my community within two to five years.”
35 young people received the resources and training to set up their own microbusiness.
May
Solidarity after the tragic fire in Leterwa, Uganda
In April, the village of Leterwa in north-eastern Uganda was struck by a devastating fire. More than fifty homes went up in flames, leaving hundreds of residents homeless and without essential items. “Because of the fires we lost everything except our lives. Food, seeds, children’s clothing and agricultural tools… everything has been burned up”, said Tubo, one of the victims. In response to this tragedy, we and our local partners KDF and DADO have joined forces with the local authorities to offer emergency aid. 62 affected families received basic provisions, food aid and financial support in May.
Local communities and aid organisations joined forces to support affected families after the devastating fire.
July and August
Fighting epidemics in South Kivu, DR Congo
Health workers testing livestock for Rift Valley Fever in remote communities.
In August, the surveillance system we set up as part of the One Health project in South Kivu reported an outbreak of Mpox and also cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and Brucellosis. The surveillance system works with thirteen local committees and more than two hundred trained members, and it plays an important role in identifying and tackling zoonoses fast.
We took action against mpox and RVF by informing the local communities, distributing protective material and administering vaccinations. Following the principles of GEMP (Good Emergency Management Practice) enabled us to react quickly and effectively with the local stakeholders. This proves how important local health systems are in the fight against zoonotic diseases. Because vaccines are still in short supply, prevention and awareness remain essential to fight the spread of viruses, especially in remote communities where limited knowledge has serious consequences.
November
Milestones in Rwanda’s fight against rabies
As part of the fight against rabies in Rwanda, the veterinary student Lotte Stikvoort organised a sponsored run that raised 1,015 euros to finance vaccines. Then she went to Rwanda for her master’s research, where she contributed actively to the first vaccinations.
The campaign was among our One Health activities. For better cooperation and a more effective exchange of information between the health sectors for humans, animals and the environment, we also organised discussion forums. The participants received training in the ‘One Health’ approach. We also selected multisectoral coordination committees to draw up an action plan and monitor its implementation.
Lotte Stikvoort committed to the rabies vaccination campaign by raising 1,015 euros for extra vaccines.
December
Emergency food aid in Mauritania
In 2024, we conducted an emergency food aid campaign in the Hodh El Gharbi wilayah in Mauritania. This campaign was a response to the humanitarian crisis that arose due to the influx of displaced people from Mali, fleeing from insecurity and violence. With financing from the French Embassy, food packages were distributed in December to sixty displaced households and forty vulnerable local households.
Food packages being distributed to displaced and vulnerable households in Hodh El Gharbi, Mauritania. © Karai
Back in the Comoros
In 2024, we returned to the Comoros at the request of the local authorities. We had been active there in the past, from 1997 to 2008. Sixteen years later, we resumed our work on the islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli to give vulnerable rural communities a stable source of food. We trained a total of 43 animal health workers and supported eight groups of women in poultry keeping. We are also responsible for the distribution of small ruminants, cattle and poultry. In 2025, we want to offer beekeeping training and set up a system of epidemiological surveillance to improve the health and productivity of the livestock on the islands.
New digital tool to improve livestock monitoring in Burundi
400 animal health workers trained in the use of the FUGA tool to improve animal health and productivity.
Livestock keeping in Burundi is lagging behind considerably when it comes to the digitisation of its tools. In collaboration with our local partners Black Dot and UCODE-AMR, we want to face the challenges of digitisation with the introduction of our new tool, FUGA. It will allow us to monitor animal health and productivity and to optimise livestock management by collecting and analysing important data. In late 2024, we trained 400 animal health workers in three different provinces. Each of them is responsible for data collection in their own community.
Moving forward together
2024 was a year full of challenges, but also a year of hope and breakthroughs. Along with our partners, communities and donors, we have proved that change is possible – one step at a time. In 2025, the year in which we will be celebrating our fortieth anniversary, we hope to be able to achieve even more.