World Horse Welfare thank public for ‘staggering’ support

World Horse Welfare is incredibly grateful to the public for their staggering response to their Helping Horse Owning Communities in Haiti appeal, which raised an extraordinary £826,153.74, including £396,988.44 in match-funding from the UK government.

The money raised will go towards further projects providing training for communities living in rural Haiti to help improve the care of working equines and strengthen the livelihoods and independence of locals.

“This is a staggering outcome,” said World Horse Welfare Chief Executive, Roly Owers, “I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and all those who gave their support to promote the appeal. This hugely encouraging result will not only allow us to fully fund our expanded project in Haiti, but also to provide crucial support for several other of our projects in countries such as Nepal, Zimbabwe and Nicaragua.”

The project in Haiti hopes to reach 2,000 households in 10 rural communities to share knowledge and train horse-owning communities in saddlery, horse management and veterinary treatment. The project also aims to open up opportunities for locals to train as veterinary agents, saddlers and saddle pad makers. The importance of equines in rural communities like those in Haiti can’t be understated, as their many roles make them an essential part of helping communities prosper. World Horse Welfare hope that, by helping communities learn these necessary skills, their equines will lead happier, healthier and longer lives, and the knowledge will be passed down through generations, too.

World Horse Welfare have conducted baseline studies to identify which communities to work in and collected information on working equines, their welfare and their link to the livelihoods of local people. They’re also completing assessments with their partner agency in Haiti, Fondation Quatre Pattes, to ensure the project incorporates good governance and safeguarding measures.

“We are starting the next chapter in a very exciting journey for World Horse Welfare, and our work in low- and middle-income countries,” said Roly. “Thank you again for helping make this possible, and we look forward to updating you on progress.”

International Development Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “Working horses are a lifeline for rural communities in the developing world. World Horse Welfare’s project in Haiti not only helps protect the animals, but also provides jobs, and boosts economies. I am delighted UK aid has matched the generous donations by the great British public – boosting the total raised to more than £825,000.”

For more information visit worldhorsewelfare.org