A team of U.S. veterinarians with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) partnered with Ethiopian veterinarians to vaccinate several animals on May 14, 2008 in an effort to improve livestock health and enhance the economic development of the region.

Through the veterinary civil action project (VETCAP), Service Members are providing treatment and care to livestock at seven locations in Eastern Ethiopia. During the nine-day program, CJTF-HOAAâ?s 13-member veterinarian team planned to vaccinate more than 20,000 animals.

The U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Yamamoto, joined U.S. military specialists and Ethiopian veterinarians at Jeldessa, where he assisted the team and greeted the community members who gathered with their goats, sheep, cattle, donkeys and camels.

The veterinarians inoculated the cattle against Blackleg and Anthrax, and the sheep and goats against Contagious Caprine Pleuro-pneumonia (CCPP) and Peste de Petite Ruminant (PPR). Additionally, they provided health exams and training on basic care and nutrition, and treating livestock for internal and external parasites.

Following the inoculation drive, the U.S. military specialists will provide training to local veterinarians on "small animal" surgical procedures at a Dire Dawa veterinary hospital.

The Service Members with CJTF-HOA hope that their work with VETCAP will contribute to livestock health and the economic prosperity of citizens in the Dire Dawa region.