In Ethiopia’s southern Omo Valley, a Polish aid group is vaccinating cattle against disease to strengthen herds, reduce theft, and calm tribal tensions amid severe weather shocks.
Vaccinating to Protect Herds and Communities
At the entrance of a herdsmen’s encampment, thorny branches form a fence. One side hosts dozens of cows, bulls and a few shepherds; the other side has people in white vests and gloves holding syringes, mainly men but including Goleghn Beholi. She warns that tsetse flies kill many cattle and that the community cannot afford vaccines or repellents. The Bodi community now runs a vaccination programme providing experience that will benefit not only them but also nearby villages.
Role of Cattle in Culture and Survival
Key local figures such as Nangachcole Cochoi, who owns almost 40 cattle, and Meseret Admasu explain that cattle supply milk, a small amount of blood, leather for clothing, and are given in brideprice; decorated bulls bear family names and have spiritual value. For many pastoralists, a herd is the sole asset and safety net in periods of hardship.
Climate Shocks and Food Insecurity
The region has endured the worst drought in 40 years, with whole harvests lost and rainfall arriving too late. Farmers are forced to sell a calf to buy 100 kg of corn, and the risk of sudden floods increases with heavy rains. These cycles of drought and flood deepen poverty, threaten food security, and strain a population where 80 % depend on agriculture and pastoralism.
Reducing Conflict Through Herd Stability
Cattle theft, often a response to disease‑related losses, has sparked violent feuds that can last weeks or months. A shepherd’s gunshot death from cattle robbery illustrates the severity. By stabilising herds through vaccination, the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM) aims to curb theft, lower tensions, and help the region recover economically.
Program Goals and Long‑Term Sustainability
PCPM plans to vaccinate at least 64 000 animals and train tribal members in basic veterinary care. The initiative expects that owners will continue vaccinations independently, use trained veterinarians commercially, and that the community’s material situation will improve, making theft less necessary and enabling resilience against escalating climate crises. It also stresses the importance of overcoming knowledge gaps and the initial scepticism towards vaccines.
