In coordination with the Tongan government, IFAW gave emergency funding to distribute three months of essential veterinary aid to the main island, Tongatapu, and the outer islands. The grant helped thousands of animals, including dogs, cats, cattle and chickens.
fire
Within July, wildfires blazed in the Gironde region within southwest France, forcing almost 40, 000 people from their homes. Inhabitants of the Cazaux district of Gironde had to leave without their pets and livestock, not knowing when they could return for their animals or if their animals would survive.
IFAW immediately contacted government authorities, partners and animal shelters to offer advice and emergency grants.
IFAW is no stranger to fires. Its recent fire responses include the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires , and wildfires in North America . Even when IFAW will be not on the ground during a disaster, the particular organization does crucial work building animal rescue networks among community organizations that can help animals and each other whenever disaster strikes.
what’s next?
No one can predict exactly when and where the next disaster will strike or even how it will affect communities plus animals. Without question, though, another catastrophe is never far away, and IFAW is already preparing for this. Just as this was being written, IFAW began supporting animal rescue and recovery in Pakistan in response to deadly flooding.
“The more we can build resilience at the community level, the less money, effort, tears and sweat we’re going to have to invest in response, ” says Walajtys, noting IFAW’s strong focus on risk reduction.
IFAW also recently opened its first-ever Center of Excellence (CoE), with the aim of building pet rescue capacity around typically the globe. Located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this IFAW CoE will provide intensive training in creature rescue to professional and volunteer field save personnel.
With dedication to rescuing animals during disasters and their aftermath, IFAW’s Disaster Response and Risk Reduction team is busier than ever saving wildlife, keeping pets with their families and helping communities recover.