Sheep and goats are central to the livelihoods targeted by Africa’s PPR eradication efforts.
The European Union has committed Sh7.38 billion to help African countries eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
The highly contagious disease mainly affects sheep and goats.
It can cause major livestock losses for pastoralists and smallholder farmers who depend on the animals for income and food.
Meanwhile, a further Sh5.90 billion could come through blended financing.
If mobilised, the additional funding would push the potential investment to about Sh13.29 billion.
However, the EU has only confirmed the Sh7.38 billion commitment so far.
Funding Targets PPR Eradication
The announcement came during a high-level dialogue in Rome focused on transforming Africa’s agrifood systems.
Governments, development partners, financial institutions and animal-health organisations attended the meeting.
The funding will support the second phase of Africa’s PPR eradication programme.
In particular, the programme will strengthen vaccination, disease surveillance and veterinary services.
PPR does not infect humans.
However, outbreaks can destroy livestock herds and reduce household incomes.
They can also disrupt livestock trade and worsen food insecurity in affected communities.
Vaccines Alone Cannot End PPR
Experts at the dialogue stressed that vaccination alone cannot eliminate the disease.
Therefore, countries also need stronger veterinary services and disease surveillance systems.
They need reliable vaccine supplies, cold-chain facilities and well-equipped diagnostic laboratories.
Furthermore, better animal-health data can help authorities detect outbreaks and respond faster.
African countries already have eradication strategies and vaccination programmes.
However, limited and unpredictable funding has slowed implementation in some areas.
IGAD Calls for Costed National Plans
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) urged countries to develop fully costed national PPR eradication plans.
Such plans could help governments identify funding gaps and include animal health in wider investment programmes.
The Rome dialogue brought together leaders and representatives from several African countries.
Participants included officials from Tanzania, Chad, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.
The World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IGAD and African Union institutions also participated.
The EU funding is expected to strengthen vaccination and animal-health systems.
Ultimately, the initiative aims to reduce livestock losses and protect communities whose livelihoods depend on sheep and goats.
