When people think of veterinary medicine, they often picture a local clinic caring for dogs and cats. Yet around the world, veterinary expertise also plays a vital role in protecting livelihoods, strengthening food security and building resilient communities.

Over the past week, colleagues from Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, South Sudan and Togo joined the team in Switzerland for the annual VSF-Suisse Senior Management Meeting.

When conflict left former trader Pidor Kueth with a permanent disability, he lost both his livelihood and his confidence. Through the THRIVE project, he was able to start a new livelihood in fishing, earn an income again and regain his place within his family and community. His story shows how targeted support can help people rebuild their lives with dignity.

From 2 to 10 April 2026, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse organised a workshop in Ouagadougou to launch the ResCoS project (Sustainable Strengthening of Resilience to Climate Change and Food and Nutritional Insecurity, and of Social Cohesion in Rural Communities).

My name is Muna. I am 51 years old, a widow and a mother of ten. I live in Digino Kebele in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

Accountability to communities lies at the heart of why Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF-Suisse) joined the CHS Alliance, a global network committed to improving the quality, effectiveness and accountability of humanitarian and development action.

On 11 March 2026, members of the Swiss Parliament gathered in Bern for an information event organised by the Agricultural Club of the Federal Assembly and the Parliamentary Group on International Cooperation.

Last week, actors from across the humanitarian ecosystem came together for the 5th International Cooperation Forum in Geneva.

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse and Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany had the honour of welcoming H.E. Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of the World Organization for Animal Health (WoAH), to their Ethiopia Country Office during her inaugural mission to Ethiopia.

In the 1960s, “experts” and cows were still being sent to Rwanda in order to intensify agriculture. Today, however, being geared towards local needs is part of the self-concept of international cooperation (IC). Yet many stumbling blocks remain. Together, more than 40 Swiss NGOs have therefore drawn up a manifesto. It is a call to joint action in pursuit of equitable partnerships.

Gender balance and inclusion are core to who we are and to how effectively we deliver our mission. In January 2026, VSF-Suisse launched its Gender Balance & Inclusion Action Plan to strengthen equity, inclusion and organisational resilience.

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.

Early in the morning in Mataya, Mrs. Katché Kodbe opens a small metal box. Inside are vaccines, basic diagnostic tools, and bandages. A year ago, she never imagined she would be treating animals and preventing disease outbreaks. Today, she is one of the first Community-Based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) trained through the new VSF-Suisse engagement in Chad.

What impact does our work have on the ground? And what remains once projects are completed?

My name is Amal Ibrahim. I was born and raised in Gode City, Somali Region in Ethiopia. There, I completed my primary and secondary education. Later I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Jijiga University. Before joining VSF-Suisse, I worked as a lecturer at Gode Hospital and for various other organisations.

On October 16th, we celebrate World Food Day, a global call to action for a world free from hunger and malnutrition. Despite progress in many areas, over 700 million people still face food insecurity — a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable and equitable food systems.

Agriculture remains the backbone of rural economies in sub-Saharan Africa. However, for millions of young people, it is a sector marked by uncertainty and limited prospects. Despite being the continent with the fastest growing and youngest population, youth in agriculture faces insecure employment, lack of access to resources, and systemic barriers.

My name is Sidi Takiou and I am from Asongo, in the Gao region, on the border between Mali and Niger. I completed my primary education and then attended Yana Maïga High School in this region. I then went to the Skriabin Veterinary Academy in Moscow, Russia, to study animal husbandry. Having grown up in a family of agro-pastoralists, I have been interested in animals since childhood and have developed my career in this field.

In South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile region, communities face ongoing challenges, including economic difficulties caused by conflict, displacement, or climate-related disasters. Nyachiang Biel participated in a liquid soap-making training and launched her own business. She is now securing a brighter future for herself and her family. .

Beekeeping is a dynamic activity in Togo’s Central Region. Many of the key players in this sector have received training on how to combat the wax moth, a species of moth that threatens beehives. This training is part of a wider aim to strengthen food security, protect biodiversity and ensure stable incomes for communities in the region.

In the dry, sun-scorched terrain of Kiliminsige Kebele, Dolo Ado Woreda, in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, the story of Mumow Elemey Elekey and her family shows just how much of a difference timely support can make when it reaches people before disaster strikes.

On Saturday, June 14, VSF-Suisse held its annual General Assembly at the agricultural campus Inforama near Bern. The Members gathered to hear about the achievements of the past year and our future endeavours. The Assembly concluded with a shared lunch, informal exchanges, and a visit to the Inforama fish farm.

I hail from Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan, where I completed both my primary and secondary education. I later pursued a diploma in Public Administration and Management. My professional journey began with an internship in the Admin and Human Resources department at Across which soon transitioned into a full-time role that lasted over a year.

The “Milk Without Borders” project aims to improve the food and nutritional security of pastoral and agro-pastoral households in the SKBo region: Sikasso in Mali, Korhogo in Ivory Coast and Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. Its goal is to promote sustainable livestock farming practices, while strengthening social cohesion and economic development.

In the remote expanse of Gubadad Kebele, situated in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, the pastoralist community — where sheep and goats dominate alongside camels and cattle — has long endured the devastating consequences of limited veterinary access. Until recently, Gubadad had no public or private veterinary service providers, leaving pastoralists to battle preventable livestock diseases without professional support.

As we reflect on the year 2024, we are reminded of the remarkable resilience and strength demonstrated by the communities we work with in the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa.

In the Lerata community of Samburu County, Kenya, the 2020-2022 drought caused by the La Niña had a devastating impact.

One of VSF-Suisse’s more recent and bigger projects in Togo, financed by the Fund for Regional Stabilisation and Development (FRSD) in Fragile Regions within ECOWAS, aims among other at creating jobs and calming tensions regarding the use of land between farmers and pastoralist livestock keepers.

In Panyijiar County, South Sudan, Napier grass is not only an important source of feed during the dry season, but it also improves the health of livestock all year round.

We are delighted to introduce our new Global Strategy for the period 2025-2028. This document, outlining our vision, mission, goals, and impact, guides our continued efforts to improve animal health, food security and livelihoods across West and East Africa.

The stop-work order by USAID has triggered an earthquake in the humanitarian and development sectors.

Within the SDC co-funded RAISE project, under Fastenaktion lead, VSF-Suisse is with the Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE) in Kenya.

As part of the RAISE project, VSF-Suisse is working with Fastenaktion and various local NGOs, including the Centre for Minority Rights Development (Cemiride) in Kenya.

‍In response to severe healthcare challenges in Ethiopia’s Moyale woreda of the Somali Regional State, a Community Based One Health Insurance scheme was launched in January last year. This initiative has since improved access to both human and veterinary healthcare services, benefiting over 800 residents in its first six months of operation alone.

Hello Géraud! Can you tell us about your background?

The VSF-Suisse South Sudan Country Office in partnership with the State Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare, as well as UN, international and national organizations celebrated the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in Aru Boma, South Sudan.

Somalia experiences recurrent food and nutrition crises, widespread insecurity, underdeveloped infrastructure, and natural hazards such as drought and floods, which are exacerbated by climate change.

On Saturday, June 15, The members of VSF-Suisse were invited to the annual General Assembly. This year the event was held at the Zoo in Basel. After a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo’s own veterinary clinic and the visit of some of the many animals, the 50 attendees gathered for lunch and informal exchanges, followed by the statuary part of the General Assembly.

Over the past five years, the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger has become a significant hotspot for multiple crises, causing uncertainty in rural communities. The Sahel region has been marked by recurring periods of drought, leading to food and nutritional insecurity. Additionally, there have been repeated pastoral crises, resulting in a decline in livestock. Other crises associated with the rise in armed conflicts have led to numerous human rights violations.

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF-Suisse) received funding from Swiss Solidarity to implement the Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods Project (EFSLP) in South Sudan.

The still young year is to be all about camelids. This was decided by the United Nations. The aim is to raise awareness of how important camelids are for the livelihoods of many people – and will become even more important in the future in view of the rapid progression of climate change.

Today, exactly 78 years ago, on October 16, 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded. Since then, World Food Day has been celebrated worldwide on this day. The goal was the same then as it is today: to free people from hunger.

September 2023 – The cooperative Ognidon of the canton of Goubi includes about 20 beekeepers, among them one woman. As part of the implementation of their activities, they are accompanied by our MiKaGo project, especially in the improvement of beekeeping practices.

In her twelve years at VSF-Suisse, the last four of which as Executive Director, Nicole Litschgi has worked tirelessly for people and their animals in Africa. She is leaving our organization at her own request and will hand over the affairs to her successor as of July 1, 2023. With Flurina Derungs, an experienced NPO manager joins the team, who wants to further develop the organization with fresh ideas while building on the tried and tested. In this interview, the two women look back on what has been experienced and venture a look into the future – personal as well as that of VSF-Suisse.

We are pleased to celebrate the 35th anniversary of VSF-Suisse this year. The organization has evolved steadily over the past 35 years and today is an established force within the international cooperation. This year offers us the opportunity to look back and reflect on what we have achieved

The severe drought and the resulting food crisis continue to threaten human and animal lives in the Horn of Africa (we reported). VSF-Suisse is working on the ground to help the affected people and their animals. For example in Ethiopia.

Berne, October 16, 2022 – On the occasion of World Food Day, the Sufosec Alliance, a coalition of six Swiss NGOs, is publishing its first report on the food situation in 16 countries of the Global South.

After the VSF-Suisse General Assembly could only take place online for the past two years, we were finally able to welcome our members in person again this year. On Saturday,

In South Sudan, horses and especially donkeys play a central role both in cultivating the fields and as a means of transportation and valuable possession for the families. With our AWELAD project

We are happy to invite our members to the VSF-Suisse General Assembly 2021. At the General Assembly we will inform you about our different activities. It will take place online again this year.

Our help for women therefore strengthens the whole family and society. “I am proud of myself,” told us VSF-Suisse-supported milk seller Fanta Damba in Bamako, Mali.