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Cattle displacement jeopardizes social stability in South Sudan

Cattle displacement jeopardizes social stability in South Sudan

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The displacement of millions of cattle as a result of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan is jeopardizing social stability, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The agency warns that as pastoralists use different migratory routes to avoid violence, tensions have developed between them and farming communities.

At the same time, there is concern that cattle diseases may be spread to other areas as a result of this movement of the animals.

Citizens and especially pastoral communities have been urged to report any suspected cattle diseases to government and aid agencies.

The head of FAO in South Sudan, Sue Lautze told Gabriel Shadar that her agency has been monitoring this situation very closely since the conflict broke out between government and rebel forces in December 2013.

Duration: 3’59”

Photo Credit
A Mandari Cattle herder rubs one of his cows with ash to protect its skin from the burning sun in Southern Sudan. © Kate Holt/IRIN