A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 21 January 2022 between PENHA and Elnet Foundation in Ethiopia for a research project in Borana Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Both organisations are part of the Ethiopian Animal Welfare Working Group (AWWG), and this initiative has been developed by PENHA’s Veterinary Research Associate, Dr Victoria Phillips, to identify the deficits in welfare and veterinary services available for working animals such as horses and donkeys. These silent workers are often forgotten in policies and training programmes, yet they are invaluable to many communities across the Horn of Africa who depend on them for collecting essential water and firewood, or assisting with manual labour and transport. The results of the project will be used to create bespoke community development programmes with targeted capacity building for improving working animal welfare and community resilience, ensuring they are able to live long, healthy and productive lives.
The MoU was signed by Ms Amsale Shibeshi, PENHA Regional Programmes Coordinator, and Dr Rahel Jiji, Elnet Foundation Regional Programme Director. The practical aspects of the research will be performed in collaboration with Elnet Foundation and Ethiopian-based experts, and the project coordination and data analysis by Dr Victoria Phillips at PENHA.
