Through healthy animals, we strengthen the health of people and the environment
Imagine your family's goat herd gets sick. Suddenly there's no milk for the children, no income for food, school supplies, or medicine. For around 500 million people worldwide, this is a reality.
When animals are healthy, families keep their livelihoods. If not, hunger, poverty, and displacement threaten.
How we enable change
We work in the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions, which are particularly affected by the climate crisis, conflicts, and poverty. Our work begins with animal health to strengthen communities long-term and sustainably.
We vaccinate and treat animals
Consulting on breeding, hygiene, and disease prevention strengthens livestock keepers in their day-to-day work. Raising awareness of zoonoses, animal welfare, and nature conservation protects people, animals, and the environment equally. Environmentally friendly animal husbandry and innovations in fodder cultivation improve the long-term use of natural resources.
We strengthen knowledge development
Consulting on breeding, hygiene, and disease prevention strengthens livestock keepers in their day-to-day work. Raising awareness of zoonoses, animal welfare, and nature conservation protects people, animals, and the environment equally. Environmentally friendly animal husbandry and innovations in fodder cultivation improve the long-term use of natural resources.
We create opportunities
In the face of recurring crises like droughts or floods, we strengthen the resilience of communities. We provide early support to particularly vulnerable families through anticipatory measures – such as producing animal feed, cash assistance, animal fodder, or healthy animals. At the same time, we strengthen local value chains to ensure incomes remain stable in the long term.
Numbers that speak for themselves
Animals treated
People have improved livelihoods and increased their income
People supported in crisis situations
Where we work
We are currently active in ten countries in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, including
VSF-Suisse has been working in Ethiopia since 2010. In 2025, 14 projects with a total volume of CHF 7.2 million were implemented. The country program is led by Dr. med. vet. Kebadu S. Belay and employs 83 staff members.
VSF-Suisse has been active in Kenya and Somalia since 2000. In 2025, eleven projects with a total volume of CHF 547,000 were implemented. The country program is led by Dr. med. vet. Davis Ikiror and comprises 11 employees.
VSF-Suisse has been active in Mali since 2004. In 2025, the country program included five projects with a total volume of CHF 1.3 million. Under the leadership of Salomon Nikièma, four employees worked for VSF-Suisse in Mali.
VSF-Suisse has been active in Kenya and Somalia since 2000. In 2025, eleven projects with a total volume of CHF 547,000 were implemented. The country program is led by Dr. med. vet. Davis Ikiror and comprises 11 employees.
VSF-Suisse has been active in South Sudan since 1995. In 2025, twelve projects with a total volume of CHF 2.8 million were implemented. The country program led by Dr. Kevin Miheso has 48 employees.
VSF-Suisse has been active in Togo since 2002 and in Chad since 2025. In 2025, seven projects with a total volume of CHF 1.2 million were implemented. The country program is led by Dr. Géraud Hellow and comprises 14 employees.
VSF-Suisse has been active in Togo since 2002 and in Chad since 2025. In 2025, seven projects with a total volume of CHF 1.2 million were implemented. The country program is led by Dr. Géraud Hellow and comprises 14 employees.
Over 150 employees contribute in our program countries. Working closely with local partners, we ensure a long-term presence.
Donate now
Our work is only possible because people like you support us. With your donation, you help keep animals healthy and give families a future.
an animal
health worker
400 sheep
More About Us
What We Do
Our work ranges from promoting animal health and creating jobs to processing animal products and improving access to natural resources and markets.
Who We Are
VSF-Suisse was founded in 1988 by veterinary medicine students from the University of Bern. Today, we are a medium-sized NGO, employing over 150 local staff in five African country offices and ten at our headquarters in Bern. Together, we manage around 50 projects in Africa.
Our Approach
We focus on sustainable solutions for animal health in Africa.
Latest Reports and Stories
Learn about our successes and challenges on the ground in Africa.
Connecting Veterinary Professionals Across Continents
Preparing for the Future
A New Beginning for Pidor Kueth
Latest reports and stories
Learn about our successes and challenges on the ground in Africa.
Connecting Veterinary Professionals Across Continents
Preparing for the Future
