The UN’s FAO warns a deadly livestock disease threatens over 21 million sheep and goats in Afghanistan, prompting urgent vaccinations.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has sounded the alarm over the rapid spread of a deadly livestock disease threatening more than 21 million sheep and goats across Afghanistan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, FAO said the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) virus, known as small ruminant plague — is a highly contagious disease that could devastate rural livelihoods if left unchecked. The organization warned that Afghanistan’s fragile agricultural system is already under strain from drought, loss of pasture, and limited veterinary support.
With assistance from the Asian Development Bank and the United Kingdom, FAO has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the virus. The campaign aims to protect herds across all 34 provinces and prevent further economic losses in rural areas dependent on livestock for income and nutrition.
FAO emphasized that the vaccination drive is part of broader efforts to strengthen Afghanistan’s livestock health system and ensure the survival of millions of animals vital to the country’s food supply.
The U.N. agency noted that recurring droughts and shrinking grazing lands have increased the vulnerability of herding communities, leaving many families at risk of losing their only source of livelihood.
FAO called on international donors to maintain their support, warning that without sustained intervention, the livestock sector, one of Afghanistan’s economic lifelines, could face irreversible damage, deepening food insecurity across the country.
