Citation

Vroegindewey G, Gruszynski K, Handler D, Grudnik T, Balbo R, Dalla Villa P. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2023.167

PMID

37697681

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about individual European countries or regional capacity to respond to animal welfare emergencies during natural disasters; therefore, it is important to establish baseline information (e.g. types of disasters, training) to enable more focused and data driven actionable support for future disasters.

METHODS: A 55-question survey was distributed by email link to the 53 World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) European Region Members plus one observer country.

RESULTS: Forty-nine countries (91%, n=54) responded to the survey. Fifty-one percent (25/49) indicated they incorporated animal welfare into their national disaster regulatory framework while 59% (29/49) indicated animal welfare was incorporated in the Veterinary Service National Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Plan. Thirty-nine percent (19/49) indicated they had 'no' or 'limited' legal authority to manage animal emergencies in natural disasters. Floods, forest fires, and snowstorm/extreme cold were the three most commonly reported disasters over the last 10 years with 79% (27/34) reporting Veterinary Services were involved in managing these disasters.

CONCLUSION: The survey results indicated a wide range in the capacity of WOAH European Member Countries to respond to animal welfare in natural disasters highlighting the gaps and potential areas of improvement in this arena.

Language: en

Keywords

Animal Welfare; Capacity Building; Disaster Management; Natural Disaster; Preparedness and Response; Veterinary Disaster