UN Warns Livestock Plague Threatens Millions of Animals in Afghanistan Amid Taliban Inaction

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that a highly contagious livestock disease is spreading across Afghanistan, putting more than 21 million sheep and goats at risk.

In a statement released on Tuesday, November 10, the FAO said it has launched a vaccination campaign across the country to prevent the spread of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), with support from the Asian Development Bank and the UK government. The agency described the disease as “highly contagious” and a serious threat to rural livelihoods.

As economic crisis and widespread poverty continue to severely affect rural communities in Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has taken no effective measures to control or prevent the disease. The Taliban’s neglect of animal health has raised serious concerns among international organizations.

PPR, which primarily affects sheep and goats, can cause mass die-offs and trigger a severe food security crisis in the country. The FAO stressed that without timely and widespread intervention, millions of rural households that rely on livestock will face survival challenges.