FoSHoL-Practical Action arranged animal vaccination and de-worming campaign in five different hard-to-reach project villages of Jamalpur from May 17 to May 30 2006. This was an opportunity for the villagers to vaccinate their cattle, goats and birds against diseases like Anthrax and FMD and also to de-worm their animals.

The animals of these hard-to-reach villages in char areas usually do not get adequate service from the government facility due to long distance and poor communication. Every year more than 50% of ruminants suffer from Anthrax and FMD diseases and 70% of goat suffer from disease like PPR due to lack of vaccination. Moreover, 90% of animal suffer from fluke infestation.

The arrangement and publicity for this campaign were done through the FoSHoL-ITDG Community Organizers. The Technology Extensionist (RTE)-Livestock with the help of local partner NGO and the Veterinary Field Assistant (VFA) of Upazila Livestock Office together played an important role in implementing this campaign. The Upazila Veterinary Officer was present for monitoring the appropriate dose of vaccines and Anthelminthics and also to examine the age, weight and body condition of the animals. The Supervisor of FoSHoL-ITDG, Jamalpur helped in documenting this campaign.

Upazilla Livestock Office supplied vaccines for this campaign. De-worming Bullus were provided by three renowned pharmaceutical companies namely ACME, RENETA and NOVARTIS through their Medical Representatives.

The participation of the villagers was encouraging. They helped the vaccination teams and also helped in selecting the sites.

A total of 210 chicken, 1,957 cattle and 970 goats were vaccinated and 2,043 and 738 de-worming Bullus were supplied for cattle and goats respectively in 843 households in 5 villages of 4 Upazilas under Jamalpur District.