Description
Introduction and objective:
To date, there has been little consideration of animals within humanitarian responses, as their presence is primarily considered as a risk factor for disease. Meanwhile however, climate change, disasters and conflict increasingly impact communities largely dependent on agriculture and livestock. Complex emergencies are characterized by environmental breakdown and the disintegration of state services, affecting biosecurity through the spread of infectious diseases, including zoonoses, transmissible between animals and humans. The destruction of services, infrastructure and displacement further affect the dynamics and interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Out of concern for zoonotic disease spillover, animals remain largely excluded from relief camps and services, in turn affecting people’s livelihoods, food security, mental health, and opportunities for resettlement and return. The complex zoonotic disease dynamics in complex emergencies are not well understood however, and the trade-offs between health and livelihoods remain unclear. The aim of this study is therefore to enhance our understanding of the role of animals in complex emergencies, and the impact on interspecies health and well-being.
Methodology:
Using a multisite case study methodology, a variety of methods were adopted, including interviews, observations and literature reviews, conducted across three emergency contexts of Pakistan, Somalia, and Ukraine.
Results and discussion:
This study shows that animals play a central role in people’s decision making during complex emergencies and displacement. Although zoonotic disease risk may increase during emergencies where biological and physiological barriers to disease are removed, animal owners accept a certain level of (disease) risk, if they can retain access to their animals, even where this reduces their ability to relocate to a safe space or access to humanitarian services. To prevent people putting themselves and their animals at risk of injuries or disease during complex emergencies, it is essential that animals are facilitated in the humanitarian response. Maintaining access to animals improves people’s nutrition, livelihoods, and mental health, supporting their immunity against disease. Providing nutrition and shelter to animals improves their health and well-being, in turn reducing the risk of zoonotic spillover, protecting human health and livelihoods.
Conclusions:
Rather than considering animals purely as a risk factor for disease during complex emergencies, their valuable contribution and central position in people’s lives need to be better acknowledged. While intersectoral approaches considering animal, ecosystem, and human health have gained traction since the pandemic, these remain human-centred and positivist. Trade-offs between health, livelihoods and welfare across the three One Health spheres deserve more careful consideration. There is a need for more inclusive, equitable approaches to address interspecies health and disease during complex emergencies, acknowledging the important positive contributions animals make to human and environmental health and well-being.
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