Press Release

U.S. Veterinarians Provide Free Treatment and Vaccinations to Thousands of Livestock, Goats and Chickens in Tanga Region

December 2, 2008

American veterinary doctors from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), in collaboration with the U.S. Mission in Tanzania, are again providing free animal treatment and care services during the second veterinary civic action project (VETCAP) in the Tanga Region from 10 November to 4 December 2008. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries.

Animal owners in Tanga have expressed their appreciation for the care and treatment, including vaccinations for their cows, goats, and chickens. Some of the farmers have never been able to have their livestock treated or vaccinated before this visit by the American veterinarians.

The American veterinary team is working side-by-side with Tanzanian veterinarians and government officials in and around Tanga region to provide care to livestock, including training on livestock health initiatives and diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases and injuries. Another primary goal of this VETCAP is the vaccination of livestock. To date, the teams have vaccinated over 14,474 cattle, goats and chickens, and the number grows daily.

The American veterinary team has carried out programs at the Buhuri Livestock Institute, Kichangani, Mwarongo, Mkembe, Tanga Dairy and Mrungu areas of Tanga region. They also plan on conducting similar programs at Pande, Kibafuta, Pongwe, Pingoni, Mchui and Mleni before the conclusion of their visit.

This is the second in a series of four planned Veterinary Civic Action Projects to be undertaken by the American people in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries. The first VETCAP was conducted in Tanga Region, July 21-August 6, 2008.

In addition to the veterinary program, an American medical team from the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), working with the U.S. Mission in Tanzania in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, completed a series of Medical Civil Action Projects at four communities in Tanga from June 28 to July 15, 2008.

According to U.S. Embassy spokesperson Jeffery A. Salaiz, other CJTF-HOA projects in Tanzania include the construction of a girl’s dormitory at a secondary school in Pawaga, Iringa Region, and another dormitory at Ngongo Girls’ Secondary School in Lindi, a primary school on Pemba, reparation of water wells in Ubembe, Kibanda, Bwembwera in Muheza district, Tanga Region and the ongoing Civil Affairs Team projects in Tanga Region. Funding for all these projects come from the American people are part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750 billion Tanzanian shillings during fiscal year 2008.

For information on these and other programs, please visit us at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov.