GEORGE TOWN, January 6 – The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is urging comprehensive flood mitigation plans that include provisions for the welfare and safety of animals, especially livestock, during natural disasters. Floods in Malaysia, exacerbated by climate change, pose significant threats to both human lives and the environment. CAP highlights the lack of safety precautions for farm animals during floods, leading to severe economic losses, with the livestock sector reporting RM36.9 million in damages in 2022 alone.
To address this issue, CAP calls on the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Veterinary Services to take a proactive role in animal risk management during disasters, emphasizing the need for emergency preparedness to safeguard animal welfare and ensure business continuity. The recurring flood situations have exposed the vulnerability of livestock, often overlooked in disaster management strategies. CAP emphasizes that animals, being dependent on humans, suffer immensely during disasters.
Beyond immediate rescues, CAP calls for the establishment of animal treatment and rescue centers in affected areas, collaboration with international animal welfare organizations, and the inclusion of domestic animals and livestock in comprehensive emergency plans. This approach, grounded in disaster risk reduction (DRR), aims to minimize the impact of disasters on animals, promote their safety, and enhance Malaysia’s overall responsiveness to the welfare of its diverse ecosystems.
