KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that a fast-spreading livestock disease is threatening more than 21 million sheep and goats in Afghanistan, putting rural livelihoods and food security at risk.
In a series of posts on X, FAO said Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), or small ruminant plague, is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects sheep and goats. Without urgent vaccination, the outbreak could cause widespread livestock losses and threaten the income and nutrition of millions of herding families.
“PPR affects more than animal health – it impacts food production, food security, market value, and rural resilience,” FAO said. “Without urgent and widespread vaccination, the livelihoods of millions of herders are at serious risk.”
To contain the disease, FAO has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign in all 34 provinces, supported by the Asian Development Bank and the UK government. The campaign aims to vaccinate millions of animals over the coming months and strengthen veterinary networks to detect and respond to future outbreaks.
“Healthier animals support healthier families—reducing economic losses and improving nutrition in herding communities,” FAO said. “When animals are protected from disease, they grow stronger and produce more.”
Livestock remains one of Afghanistan’s few stable economic sectors, providing income for around 70% of rural households. However, years of conflict, climate shocks, and underfunded animal health services have left herders increasingly vulnerable to disease.
FAO appealed to international donors for continued backing, warning that without long-term support Afghanistan may face “irreversible losses” in livestock production, which could deepen food insecurity for millions.
“Livestock are not just assets — they are the foundation of rural survival,” the agency said. “Protecting them means safeguarding Afghan families, livelihoods, and food systems.”
