The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). IYRP 2026 aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of rangelands and pastoralists, who play a key role in protecting and sustaining these landscapes.
VSF Switzerland has chosen this UN theme as its annual focus. The reason is clear: improving the living conditions of pastoralists in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is a central part of our work.
A way of life under pressure
Pastoralist communities secure their livelihoods through mobile livestock keeping. In regions with extreme climatic conditions, grazing animals provide food, income and social security at the same time.
This fragile system is increasingly under strain. Centuries-old grazing practices are no longer sufficient in the face of climate change. At the same time, diseases, resource scarcity and limited access to health services threaten the livelihoods of entire communities.
Animal health determines livelihoods
When pastoralists’ animals fall ill or die, the consequences are immediate. Food security and income are affected, and often human health as well.
In pastoralist systems, humans and animals are closely connected. Diseases can spread quickly, and the lack of veterinary services has a direct impact on families’ daily lives. Animal health is therefore not an isolated issue, but a prerequisite for stable and resilient livelihoods.
Education and health services as key factors
VSF Switzerland works where sustainable impact is possible. We strengthen local structures, train professionals and improve access to basic animal and human health services. The aim is to embed knowledge locally and reduce dependency.
Human and animal health are inseparably linked, which is reflected in our One Health approach. For the communities we work with, this is everyday reality.
Why IYRP is our annual theme
The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists provides a framework to highlight the interconnections that shape our work: animal health, education and access to health services as the foundation of resilient livelihoods.
By choosing IYRP as our annual theme, we place these connections at the centre of our communication throughout 2026.