WSPA answers call for help in global floods

Jan 18, 2011

Current and recent flooding of historic proportions in several parts of the world has required the assistance of WSPA and its member societies in various relief and rescue operations
© WSPA

Recent flooding of historic proportions in several parts of the world has required the assistance of WSPA and its member societies in various relief and rescue operations. 
 
On our shores, the WSPA International Disaster Management team have been working with our member society the RSPCA Queensland and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) in their assessment and aid efforts after the devastating floods hit the state.  

WSPA’s Disaster Management team usually work in developing countries where the lack of infrastructure and resources make response and action exceptionally difficult. Our experts responded to this unprecedented disaster in Queensland to offer advice and support to our member society.

Most displaced animals have since been united with their owners and all injured livestock have been treated. The RSPCA Queensland continue to work with local government to contain the remaining stray livestock and locate their owners. There is a lot still to be done and WSPA will continue to be on standby, should further support be needed, but our member society and local organisations will continue the hard work. We are confident they are doing everything they can to help the animals affected.

Global need for WSPA’s disaster work

The end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 have seen the heaviest flooding in many decades. As well as in Queensland, the WSPA Disaster team have responded to calls for help from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and regions across Colombia, to name only a few, after floods and mudslides swept the regions, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives and leaving vast areas under water.

WSPA and its local member societies have been involved in rescue and relief operations since the onslaught of Colombia’s floods in November last year.

In Brazil, the country’s most deadly floods and mudslides to date have devastated mountain towns outside of Rio de Janeiro, leading to huge humanitarian rescue and relief operations. A WSPA team arrived in the area on 18th January to assess the animal need in the three worst affected towns (Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo and Petrópolis) and to provide assistance to any animals encountered in the operation. WSPA has already received reports of dog fatalities in inundated animal rescue centres, while others are trapped without food.
Flooding in the south Asian island nation of Sri Lanka has also resulted in human deaths and is currently being assessed for any animal need.
   
For more information on WSPA’s involvement in these floods, and in other disaster situations, please visit our blog.