Pakistan Quake Families Receive Over 400 Buffaloes
Pakistan quake families received over 400 buffaloes distributed by World Vision as part of the group’s livelihood project.
Funded by the UK Disaster Emergency Committee, WV’s livelihood project provided 454 buffaloes (409 females and 45 males) to households in Jabouri Union Council, which suffered “enormous damage” in last October’s 7.6-magnitude quake. Crops and livestock were completely wiped out in some areas leaving many without the means to feed their family or generate an income.
“Our only buffalo and two oxen were killed in the earthquake. The buffalo was providing us with nine kilograms of milk a day but those distributed by World Vision are healthier and if we get surplus milk after providing for our children, we will sell it in the market to generate an income,” said Mohammad Pervez from Kanog village who received a buffalo on behalf of his mother, a widow, according to a June 28 WV report. Pervez and his two brothers are struggling to support 17 family members, including four children.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
“We have selected a special local ‘Neeli Ravi’ breed with greater milking capacity so that people can access more milk and dairy products to meet their household needs or to sell and generate an income,” said Ghulam Mustafa, World Vision Livelihoods Project Extension Coordinator (Veterinary).
He added, “If the buffalo is properly cared for she will produce an average of 20 kilograms of milk a day. Beneficiaries have signed an agreement not to sell or slaughter the animal for at least two years and to report any cases of disease to World Vision.”
A female buffalo is worth about US $1,108, and is considered a “bulwark against starvation” and is greatly valued.
WV is the first relief and development organization to distribute buffaloes in the Siran Valley, reported the group.
Reportedly a family can earn RS 400 (US$7) a day from milk sold at Rs. 20 per kilogram – or more than twice what a daily laborer can earn. Butter and butter oil are other valued byproducts, with 30 kg of butter-oil earning up to Rs. 9,000 (US $150) per month.
The humanitarian and development group has also provided a 30-kg bag of special supplementary feed for the buffaloes to help milk production while the family builds up the fodder stores.
WV plans to distribute 816 goats; eight per household to promote livestock diversification.
