Pastoralists in Karamoja, Uganda, are suffering from conflicts. Several victims testify on how they are forced to search for ways to survive. From peace forums to micro-credit, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium guides them in their search for hope.
“Pastoralism is the best way for people to meet their needs in Karamoja”
In north-eastern Uganda, Karamojong pastoralists have been going through a difficult period since last summer. Drought combined with the impact of the war in Ukraine and insecurity has taken its toll on the most vulnerable. For our colleague Emmanuel Emaruk, pastoralism remains the best response to the challenges faced in Karamoja.
Looking back at 2022
We are coming to the end of 2022, and it has been a rich year, both in the regions in Africa where we intervene and in Belgium. These images offer a reminder of some of the milestones of the past year.
Perspectives on Pastoralism – A Film Festival and Photo Exhibition in Brussels on 8 December
The ‘Perspectives on Pastoralism’ Film Festival is back in Brussels for a second edition on 8 December, with a panel of experts from three continents and a photography exhibition. Don’t miss this opportunity to get unique insights into the pastoralist lifestyle and challenges through films, photographs and live testimonials from across the globe.
Pastoralism, the future in food production
Find out in a few minutes how pastoralists manage to use climate and environmental variability to produce food in a sustainable way.
Moving towards humanitarian aid
Thanks to the European Union’s Humanitarian Partnership Certificate, emergency aid actions are now within our reach. We should soon be able to help even more livestock keepers’ families.
“Beestig!” in Uganda: behind the scenes
Those of you who visit the Facebookpage of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium regularly have probably noticed already that a camera crew was working in Karamoja, Uganda. They were shooting scenes for the VTMKzoom-show “Beestig!”. The unique – and often hilarious – sequences will be broadcast by VTMKzoom in November, but here we give you an exclusive look behind the scenes.
It’s all about poo-poo
Building latrines can be a good solution. A latrine is probably even one of the best solutions. But why is the construction of latrines one of those development projects that so often seem to fail? The examples are plenty: toilet constructions that are so nice that they are now being used as the office of a local politician; latrines that are locked, except when the NGO visits them because “it is Josephine’s toilet!”; the community who has built a nice latrine, or so it seems, until you open the door and you see there is not even a hole -they only wanted to please the donor… So, it is not about latrines. It is all about poo-poo.
“In the end, men and women face the same deadlines”
From the first moment I met her, I was impressed by her strong and energetic appearance. I am talking about Lucy Akello, the manager of MADEFO, local partner of VSF Belgium in Moroto district in Karamoja. For International Women’s Day, I had the opportunity to share a long evening talk with her about her own life, and about the role of women in Karimojong society. We were enjoying the cool evening temperature outside, surrounded by mosquitos, eating some succulent water melon while a kerosene lamp lightened up our conversation.
A tribute to John Okiring, Ugandan vet and pioneer of our actions
On the 15th of February this year, in a small village 250 km from Kampala in Uganda, Dr. John Okiring died surrounded by his family after a long and tough disease.