Official opening ceremony of Rue du SPANA, Mauritania © SPANA

Road In Mauritania's Capital City Named In Honour Of Animal Charity SPANA's Lifesaving Work

2 years ago
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Posted
10th June, 2022 12h50

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SPANA

Global animal welfare charity SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) is delighted to announce that a road in Mauritania, West Africa, has been officially named after the charity, in recognition of its critical contribution to animal welfare and often lifesaving work helping working animals across the country.

SPANA Chief Executive, Linda Edwards, attended the inauguration ceremony in Mauritania’s capital city, Nouakchott, this week (Sunday 5 June 2022) to mark the naming of the new ‘Rue du SPANA’ (SPANA Road). The prestigious event was also attended by local officials, including the Mayor of El Mina and the Chief of Police, as well as hundreds of donkey and horse owners who have relied on SPANA’s essential work.

The naming of the road, close to SPANA’s centre in Nouakchott, was carried out to acknowledge the charity’s work improving the welfare of working animals in Mauritania. Last year alone, despite the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the SPANA team in Mauritania provided vital veterinary treatment to more than 70,000 sick and injured working animals, along with animal welfare training and advice to more than 23,900 animal owners. More than 5,400 children also received animal welfare education, designed to promote positive behaviour towards animals. 

Following the opening of SPANA Road, a major new education agreement was signed by SPANA and the government of Mauritania. During her visit, Linda Edwards met with the country’s Minister of Education and an official signing ceremony took place to confirm SPANA’s selection as the animal welfare organisation for a new ‘Green Schools’ pilot project, which will bring animal welfare lessons to approximately 60 schools in Mauritania. To deliver the project, SPANA will partner with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and the German Development Corporation, to name but a few.

Students taking part in the new project will be taught about topics relating to the environment and sustainable development, and – in line with the historic, recent UN animal welfare nexus resolution – will learn about the need for good animal welfare.

Linda Edwards, Chief Executive of SPANA, said: ‘We are honoured that SPANA’s work in Mauritania has been recognised through the naming of the new road. I am incredibly proud of the significant difference SPANA has made across Mauritania over the past two decades. Our vital veterinary treatment is ensuring that many animals can live a life free from suffering, and the training we provide to owners is improving the care they are giving to their animals and preventing often entirely avoidable problems.

‘The new education agreement we have signed with the government of Mauritania is truly groundbreaking and will have an extremely positive impact on the lives of working animals. Our animal welfare education programmes are helping the next generation of owners and policy makers; by developing young people's knowledge about animals, we can inspire the next generation and create a future that’s kinder to animals.

‘The achievements of our team in Mauritania, and the progress made, should be celebrated. But in this time of exceptional need for SPANA’s help, we will continue to work tirelessly towards delivering a lasting transformation working animal welfare.’ 

In November 2021, SPANA celebrated 20 years of working in Mauritania. The charity has been improving the lives of working horses and donkeys in Mauritania since 2001.

Demand for SPANA’s services in Mauritania is considerable. More than 397,000 working horses and donkeys support the livelihoods of poverty-stricken families in the country. By doing the work of trucks, tractors and taxis – and transporting food, water, firewood and other essential goods – these animals make it possible for their owners to earn a small income and survive. Prior to the launch of SPANA operations in the country, there was no veterinary assistance available for working equines in Mauritania.

Today, SPANA operates three veterinary centres, in the capital city of Nouakchott, and in the towns of Rosso and Boghé. The charity also runs mobile clinics, which provide treatment to animals in more remote, rural areas.

In addition to essential animal welfare and veterinary care, the charity has also been providing emergency support for working animals in Mauritania during the global pandemic, including supplying lifesaving feed for malnourished animals whose owners have been affected by loss of income due to lockdown restrictions. 

For more information about SPANA, please visit the charity’s website.  

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