News
Building More Resilient Communities in the Sahel
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)....
“We now have a voice”
Local voices 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. Like many families here, I depend on livestock and small-scale farming. My cattle, sheep and goats provide food and income. They...
Newsletter archive
Strengthening Accountability: VSF-Suisse Joins the CHS Alliance
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. Putting...
One Health in Action: Strengthening Pastoral Resilience in the Horn of Africa
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. The discussion focused on the importance of pastoralism for...
Humanitarian Aid, ready for tomorrow?
Last week, actors from across the humanitarian ecosystem came together for the 5th International Cooperation Forum in Geneva. Focus of the event: Challenges and future of humanitarian aid in a rapidly changing geopolitical context. For VSF-Suisse, the event was a...
High-Level Visit to VSF-Suisse Ethiopia
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...
Locally owned. Globally backed.
A Manifesto for Locally Led Action 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...
Equality in Action: VSF-Suisse launches its Gender Balance & Inclusion Action Plan
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. Why this Action Plan?...
2026 in focus: Pastoralism and rangelands
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...
Does development cooperation work really make a difference?
Three encounters in Kenya What impact does our work have on the ground? And what remains once projects are completed? Gregor Schmid, veterinarian and board member of VSF-Suisse, explored these questions during a trip to Kenya last spring. In this article, he shares...
VSF-Suisse Is Now Active in Chad. What Does This Mean for Local Communities?
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...
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Meet our Staff: Amal Ibrahim from Ethiopia
Hello Amal! Can you tell us about you? 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...
World Food Day – A Game Show to Expose the Global Hunger Crisis
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...
Empowering Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Agriculture
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...
A final exchange with Sidi Takiou, long-time member of our Mali team
Hello, Sidi! Can you tell us about your background? 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...
Nyachiang Biel’s Journey into Liquid Soap making in South Sudan
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....
Combating the Wax Moth: Training for Togolese Beekeepers
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...
A future saved before it was lost: the story of a family in Kiliminsige Kebele, Ethiopia
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. For more...
The VSF-Suisse General Assembly 2025: new member on the board
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...
Meet Dorine Kasara from South Sudan
Hello Dorine! Can you tell us about your background? 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...
Food and Nutritional Sovereignty in the Tri-Border Area of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast
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...
The Story of Ayanle Bashir, a Community Animal Health Worker in Ethiopia
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...
Annual Report 2024 – Impactful work in times of adversity
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. These regions faced profound challenges again this year, as the impacts of climate...
Building Resilience through Sustainable Rangeland Management in Lerata, Kenya
In the Lerata community of Samburu County, Kenya, the 2020-2022 drought caused by the La Niña had a devastating impact. Maritina Lenanyangerra’s story highlights the effects on the community and their livestock, a large part of which has been lost. VSF-Suisse’s DR-SRM...
Creating jobs and promoting peaceful coexistence in Togo
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...
Napier grass: feeding and improving health of livestock in South Sudan
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. Mrs Nyibol Wicjang Koak’s story highlights the importance of the Napier grass and of the training...
Together for a better future: our Global Strategy 2025-2028
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. ...
USAID stop-work order and its impact on VSF-Suisse
The stop-work order by USAID has triggered an earthquake in the humanitarian and development sectors. Accordingly, on the 25th of January at VSF-Suisse we carried out a risk analysis and initiated immediate measures. Directly funded by USAID and affected with...
Advocating for Change: Nyang’ori Ohenjo on Human Rights, Food Security and Community Engagement
Within the SDC co-funded RAISE project, under Fastenaktion lead, VSF-Suisse is with the Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE) in Kenya. Nyang’ori Ohenjo, co-founder and currently Team Lead of CEMIRIDE, was invited to provide a statement on 18...
‘It is important that those affected have a voice’
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. Nyang'ori Ohenjo from Cemiride visited Switzerland last week and represented his organization and...
Community-based One Health Insurance: Building resilient health systems in pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities
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...
Meet Géraud Hellow from Togo
Hello Géraud! Can you tell us about your background? I completed my studies in Senegal to become a veterinarian and subsequently pursued further training in France, where I earned a master's degree in hygiene and quality in animal production. Before joining...
Activism against Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan
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.
Livestock vaccination campaign strengthens animal health in Adadle Woreda
A team assembled from the Animal Health department of the Adadle Woreda Pastoralist Development Office of Somali region of Ethiopia, consisting of 14 animal health experts and 10 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), participated in a vaccination campaign funded by...
Meet Issa John from South Sudan
Hello ! Can you tell us about your background? My Name is Issa John, and I am South Sudanese. I joined VSF-Suisse in 2012 as a Project Manager. I am an agronomist by profession with a bachelor's degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Extension and a master in...
Between droughts and floods – La Niña phenomenon
Diagram of El Niño and La Niña climatic phenomenon (Source: NOAA Climate.gov) La Niña, the counterpart of the El Niño climate phenomenon, is characterized by a cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and atmospheric pressure anomalies. This phenomenon...
