Gaborone — The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has instructed all District Councils in Foot and Mouth Disease affected areas to start a full assessment and registration of farming communities and livestock-dependent households hit by the outbreak.

According to a ministry press release, FMD and related control measures have significantly disrupted livestock production, marketing activities, household incomes and livelihoods, causing considerable hardship for farmers and herders.

The exercise aims to establish the scale of the outbreak's impact and build an accurate database of affected persons. The information will help government determine the extent of losses and hardships and support evidence-based decisions on future relief and support interventions.

The release says that the success of the exercise depends on accuracy, credibility and completeness of the information collected. District councils have been directed to conduct the process in a transparent, fair and inclusive manner to ensure all affected individuals are identified and registered.

Affected individuals and communities are urged to cooperate with council officials and provide accurate information to facilitate the process.

Given the urgency and the need to provide timely assistance, councils are expected to prioritise the exercise and deploy necessary resources for its successful implementation.