By Naneka Hoffman
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has donated supplies valued US$10,000 to the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). The supplies include wildlife and laboratory tools.
Speaking at African Plaza during the donation on Thursday, July 13, FAO Resident Representative to Liberia, Mrs. Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, said the continued loss of species and degradation of their habitats threaten humanity, because globally, people depend on such resources to meet their needs.
Wildlife loss threatens and undermines the entire ecosystems and jeopardizes the well-being of all who depend on them, she adds.
Madam Tchicaya notes that this is a leading cause for closer contact between wildlife and humans, resulting to increase risk of spreading zoonotic diseases.
She details that statistics from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species reveals that about 8,400 species of wild fauna and flora are critically endangered, while nearly 30,000 more are considered as threatened or vulnerable.
She notes that based on these estimates, it is suggested that over a million species are threatened with extinction.
The FAO Resident Representative explains that the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) had for the past 4 years supported and participated in the World Wildlife Day in Liberia and other activities with the hope to inspire actions intended to reverse the fate of key species of animals and plants.
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She recalls that in 2021, FAO conducted bush meat value chain study in collaboration with FDA and the Ministry of Agriculture in nine counties and results showed that FDA and partners need to stand tall in planning long-term nationwide awareness for the protection of wildlife and educating forest dependents about wildlife diseases.
Deputy FDA Managing Director for Operations Joseph Tally assures that the forest is intact and wildlife in Liberia fully is protected.
Mr. Tally further assures FAO that materials donated will be utilized for the intended purpose.
