The impact of armed conflict on animal well-being and welfare, and analyzing damage assessment on the veterinary sector: The case of Ethiopia's Tigray region

Abstract

Tigray war broke out on November 4, 2020, and lasted until November 3, 2022. The war has caused a significant loss of human life and a catastrophic economic and humanitarian crisis. The war affected the food and water supplies to farmers to care their livestock and this led to animal death, malnutrition, and suffering. In addition, a significant number of animals have been subjected to flee the region and killed during the warfare. The veterinary sector is significantly damaged and animals became a victim. Veterinarians and animal health workers have fled the region because of the war, and this adds an extra burden to the sector. Although the impact of this war on animal life, welfare and overall, on the livestock infrastructure is significant, no study has been conducted so far. We analyzed the level of damage to the veterinary sector and number of animal loss following the war. Our analytical study showed the war has claimed a total of 2,487,047 cattle, 1,690,096 sheep, 3,803,860 goat, 610,976 donkey, 4,280,815 poultry, and 231,985 beehives. Such loss led to an estimated total financial loss of 53.56 billion Ethiopian birr (∼1.01 billion USD). We also analyzed the destruction level of the veterinary infrastructures in percentage, and the associated financial loss due to facility damage and animal disappearances from the region. A complete destruction (100 %) of veterinary facilities was reported in 10 districts and this accounts to an estimated financial loss of 68.59 million Ethiopian birrs (1.3 million USD). In conclusion, Tigray war has caused an immense impact to animal welfare and veterinary sector and a collaborative effort between governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and professional bodies is required to restore to restor the sector. This study also highlighted how the war jeopardize animal right and wellbeing. Thus, we believe this study will be an input for national and international policy makers working on international convention for animal protection and rights.

1. Introduction

The Tigray war has caused a nearly incomprehensible level of crisis not only to humans and health care facilities but also to domestic animals and veterinary clinics. Tigray in its present form, is a regional state located in Northern Ethiopia. The Tigray war began on Nov 4, 2020, and lasted until Nov 3, 2022, and it was one of the deadliest wars in Ethiopian history. ‘The war in Tigray’ in this context is defined as the war between the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) and a coalition force of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP), Amhara Special Forces, Amhara militia or Fano (informal armed group in Amhara region), Afar Special Forces, and the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF). Unless otherwise noted, we use the name ‘allied forces’, hereinafter to represent forces who fought against the Tigrayan Defense Force (TDF). After the onset of the war, hundreds and thousands of people have been killed, displaced, and suffered from humanitarian crisis [1]. A complete destruction of health care facilities, sexual violence, and allegations of war crimes have been reported in the region [2].

Human-driven conflict and civil unrest often cause animals to experience the same distress and pain as their human counterparts. While prioritizing the impact of war on human health is important, addressing and recognizing its damage on animal health and welfare is also important. The reduction of human suffering must be prioritized and the impact of conflict on animals must also be recognized and addressed. To protect animal safety and care, national and regional laws on animal wellbeing should be drafted and implemented. For example, from the experience of Ukraine war, campaigns to hold individuals accountable for a deliberate and malicious harm to animals during the war is reported to be considered as a war crime [3]. Historically, war and other human conflicts create a tumbledown condition following destruction of key infrastructure, suffering, and despair [3]. A study on wildlife population trends across Africa showed that human conflict is the most important predictor of whether animals species perish or prosper [4]. Studies shows following a human-driven conflict, animals caught desperate in the middle of the storm with no means of escaping the violence, they suffer in silence, and no guarantee of return to their natural place where they once knew. The Ukraine war, Syrian war are few examples to witness how the conflict caused unnecessary suffering to animals [3]. Livestock contributes significantly to the world food supply, income, soil fertility and transportation and in alleviating poverty [5]. However, due to the destructive nature of war, the economy generated from the livestock sector is affected. The Tigray war not only affected animals but also the livelihood and health of local farmers. Livestock sector is one of the main contributors to the agricultural economy in Tigray, but it has been damaged significantly by the two yearlong warfare. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess and analyze the damage on the veterinary sector due to the war and recommend key strategies to restore the sector.

2. Methods

This analytical study examined the degree of damage in the veterinary sector in Tigray after the onset of war on. The level of destruction due to the war was compared with the prewar status. To compile, analyze and interpret the data, we performed the following activities, and an outline of the study procedure is described in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

Study outline for the damage analysis of the veterinary sector due to the war.

Reports from Tigray interim government, Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development which are originally written in local language (Tigrinya) was translated to English and reviewed carefully; opinion, press release and views were collected from different reliable media sources; the status of the sector before and after war was compared and level of damage was described either in absolute number or percentage (%); the incidence of damage was categorized into 3 main sections as the level of veterinary facilities destruction, total animal loss in the region, and estimated financial loss in the sector; and finally, the percentage of damage in the sector was analyzed using a descriptive statistics.

3. Results

3.1. Proportion of Tigray livestock population in Ethiopia

According to Ethiopian Statistical Authority report, a total of 4,908, 964 Cattle, 2,097,619 Sheep 4,838,969 Goat, and 6,317,518 Poultry were reported in Tigray region [6]. In Tigray, poultry constitutes the largest proportion, cattle and goat followed second and third (Fig. 2A). The national relative distribution and percentage of livestock and poultry population of Tigray is also summarized (Fig. 2B). Out of the total livestock populations in the country, the proportion of each species was calculated and 12.90 % poultry, 9.63 % goat, 5.26 % sheep, and 7.51 % cattle was reported in Tigray regional state.

Fig. 2.

The total number of livestock population in Tigray regional state: A) Total livestock and poultry population on species bases. B) The relative distribution and total number of Tigray's livestock and poultry population in Ethiopia.

3.2. Damage assessment of veterinary sector following the war

The war in Tigray is a large-scale full-fledged war which led to a significant loss of animal life and suffering due to malnutrition, infections, destruction of veterinary infrastructure, and lack of veterinary care. Following the war, a damage in private and public infrastructures has not been reported. Our assessment showed the veterinary and livestock infrastructure is in a complete collapse following an attack of veterinary clinics (Fig. 3A), veterinary breeding center, and veterinary pharmaceutical center. Looting of veterinary devices and transportation of animals to neighboring regions have been reported. Animals are also reported to be a subject of direct killing (Fig. 3 B, C, D, E). It is not only the veterinary sector but also the public health sector has been a target of attack and looting. According to the report by the Tigray region Interim administration of Health Bureau, following the destruction of health care facilities and looting of medicines and medical equipment by the allied forces, a significant number of patients have died from chronic illness such as HIV and diabetes, and children have suffered from acute and chronic malnutrition. Shockingly, many health centers had been a miliary base for the allied forces before the Tigray Defense Forces took control of the Tigray;s capital Mekelle on June 28, 2021. As a result, animals have become a direct and indirect victim of the war. Some representative pictures of animals killed during the armed conflict are shown in Fig. 3B–E.

Fig. 3.

Overview of animal victim and facilities destroyed during the war: A) Examples of veterinary clinics destroyed during the war: B) Cattle killed during air bombardment: C) A lamb which is victim of the war: D) A wild bird found injured when the allied forces bombarded Tigray's capital, Mekelle: E) unauthorized and inhumane slaughter of cattle for consumption by allied forces in Western Tigray.

3.3. Level of destruction and estimated financial loss in the veterinary sector

The war has caused a significant level of destruction and financial loss in many sectors mainly in the veterinary sector. In this study, we analyzed the level of destruction (in percentage) of various veterinary sectors in different woreda administrations of the region. In addition, the financial loss of the sector following the war has also been estimated. Out of 42 districts assessed for the destruction level of veterinary breeding centers (Fig. 4A), 28 districts have been encountered a destruction level of more than 50 %. A destruction level of 100 % was reported in 10 districts. Similarly, out of 42 districts assessed for the destruction level of veterinary clinics (Figs. 4B), 32 districts were destroyed by more than 64 %. The analysis of financial loss in different districts (Fig. 4C) showed an estimated total loss of 68.59-million-birr.

Fig. 4.

Estimated financial loss and total percentage of veterinary infrastructures destroyed during the war: A) Level of breeding center destruction in various Woreda: B) Level of veterinary clinic destruction in various Woreda: C) Financial loss followed by infrastructure destruction on woreda basis.

3.4. Percentage of veterinary facility destroyed, financial and total livestock loss during the war

We have assessed the total number of livestock population disappeared during the war. The lower level of destruction (61 %) was reported in southeastern zone and a maximum level of destruction (97 %) was reported in northwestern zone (Fig. 5A). Similarly, assessment onveterinary breeding center revealed a minimum (0 %) and maximum (99 %) level of destruction in southern zone and eastern zone of Tigray respectively (Fig. 5A), with an overall destruction level of 83 % and 88 % in veterinary breeding center and veterinary clinic respectively. The total financial loss in the veterinary breeding center and veterinary clinic showed 9.2 % and 59.5 % respectively (Fig. 5B). Livestock loss during the war (Fig. 5C) showed a total of 12,872,796 animals. A total of 231,985 beehives have been disappeared from the region and this sum up a total financial loss of 53.56 billion Ethiopian birrs (∼1.01 billion USD) (Fig. 5D). We analyzed the destruction level of different veterinary facilities at different zonal administrations of Tigray (Fig. 5E). A total of 0.79 million, 8.3 million, 18 million, 25.2 million, 15.9 million worth of properties have been destroyed in southern zone, southeastern zone, eastern zone, central zone, and northwest zone respectively (Fig. 5D). An estimated total of 68.59 million Ethiopian birrs (1.3 million USD) has been reported in all the zonal administrations.

Fig. 5.

Destruction level of veterinary facilities and animal loss: A) Level of veterinary facilities destroyed in each zone: B) The destruction level of facilities in the region: C) Total animals disappeared during the war. D) Total Financial loss by animal species. E) Estimated financial loss on zone basis.

4. Limitations of the study

In an armed conflict zone where there is no telecommunication and free movement of staffs to collect all the required primary information, gathering sufficient data to support the evidence was a challenge. However, the simplicity and purpose of this study helped us to summarize the assessment and draw a conclusion how the war has already caused a visible and significant damage to the livestock sector by a direct comparison with the status before the onset of the war. Expecting any bias during the data collection, we have incorporated data and expert views from various sources. Due to safety issues during the war, the impact assessment in all facility centers was not studied and we believe that this is not a complete picture of the damage assessment rather a preliminary study. Total animal loss during the war is not well defined in terms of what number of animals have been lost due to direct killing, slaughtered, and smugglled to neighbouring country and regions. This makes tracking of the animals difficult. Another limitation of this study is that the total cost of animals is only estimated per single animal using current price without considering the price of new offspring and dairy products those animals could have been produced from the time they disappear from their original place.

5. Discussion and conclusion

Amidst the Tigray war, an untold number of animals have been caught in the crossfire and mass smuggled to neighboring regions and country such as Eritrea. According to the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Interim Government of Tigray (unpublished report, March 2021), the veterinary clinics, veterinary breeding center, veterinary pharmaceutical center have been completely collapsed and looting of veterinary devices by allied forces have been reported. Although the impact of the Tigray war on animal life, welfare and wellbeing is significant, no study has been conducted so far on the extent of damage and strategies how to address the problems. There are reports and studies that showed armed conflicts cause animals to be targeted and killed and during such period shortages of veterinary care are common, and this leads to unnecessary animal suffering [7]. Further studies from another part of the world also showed livestock and companion animals have been targeted by armed groups, slaughtered, looted, bombed, or starved on a massive scale [8]. Similarly, during the Tigray war, targeted killing, unauthorized slaughter of animals by theallied forces were a very common incidence. There has been a shortage of veterinary professionals and animal health technicians due to forced displacement and migration.. As a result, disease outbreak was rampant. Moreover, following farmers fled the war, animals remain unattended without shelter and suffered from lack of food, water and eaten by predators. Our evidence showed how Tigray war has caused a significant damage in various sectors and it caused direct impact in the livelihood of individual citizens and the economy of the regional state. Beyond the direct impact to individuals’ life, the war in Tigray has an economic and food security implications following the damage of agricultural sector mainly the veterinary sector in which rural and small-scale farmers rely their livelihood on. In areas where there was an active war, there is lack of animal food, drugs, veterinary care this put animals at risk of exposing to outbreaks, death due to shortage of food and water, and animals left unattended and exposed to displacement. Similar reports in Ukraine have showed that due to disruption of logistics with a limited safe access to animal sites left them helpless following starvation, death, and injury [9]. Animal safety should be a global agenda but our observation from this study indicates the attention given to animal victims by the local and international communities is very limited. We strongly encourage the idea of animal right activism and advocacy in the region.

In conclusion, the Tigray war caused immense impact on animal suffering, death, and damage to the veterinary sector, and it requires a collaborative effort and resource to restore. Civil and professional association for animal right advocates should be established in Tigray and the regional and national government should provide support to strengthen the animal safety and care campaign. The support of scientific communities to expand research studies, human right advocates on animal wellbeing and welfare is crucial in addressing further animal sufferings. International organizations such as FAO, animal welfare organizations should support local veterinarians to rescue domestic animals which are in captivity in neighboring regions and country, and they should work with regional veterinary authority in Tigray to ensure emergency needs of the animal health sector. This include supporting poor farmers who lost their animals. National and regional authorities, UN humanitarian aid organizations should consider domestic animals in all the planning efforts of resettling internally displaced farmers and those crossed the border to flee the war.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Funding

Authors declare this study is not funded by any funding agency.

Data availability statement

Data will be made available on request.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Mebrahtu G. Tedla: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Kibrom F. Berhe: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Kibrom M. Grmay: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

Declaration of competing interest

We declared that this manuscript has not been published, accepted or under editorial review for publication elsewhere. To the best of our knowledge, no conflict of interest exists.