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Helping the Animals Amid So Much Human Tragedy
by Ken Grant
HSI Asia
Bali, Indonesia
30 December 2004
One question which comes up frequently as we make contact throughout the region to assess the damage and needs, is how can we be concerned with the animals amid so much human tragedy. This is a natural question to ask and at this time we must be sensitive to the enormous losses suffered by so many people.
We answer this question by first acknowledging that humanitarian are enormous. But at the same time how we deal with the animal situation will greatly effect both the short and long term welfare of the people.
First there is the problem of so many dead animals. Their rotting corpses create a health and environmental problem. We have had reports from Aceh of an overwhelming stench that makes it hard to breath. Decaying corpses attract dogs and other carnivores which can add to the problems. Further, decaying flesh and the vermin that devour it can contaminate the water supplies.
Second, there are tens of thousands of abandoned and homeless dogs. These dogs and other carnivores become more stressed and aggressive in situations such as this as they fight for dwindling food supplies. This can lead to increases in rabies and other animal-to-human diseases.
Third, most of the affected animals in the region are farm animals and beast of burden - cows, water buffalo, chickens, donkeys and chickens. Most of the people live a subsistence life and these animals are a major factor in their livelihood, supplying food either directly or by plowing the fields and hauling goods. To these people a water buffalo is their most valuable possession - one that plows the rice fields and puts food on their table.
And last but not least, is the desire to reduce all suffering as much as possible, both human and animal. How we treat our animals says a lot about how we treat each other.
At HSI all of our programs are programs related to animal welfare, but some also have a direct positive effect upon humans. In a disaster such as this, we each do what what we can and hopefully in our own little way make a difference.
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