STRIKE BACK CAMPAIGN

Hi. My name is Jonathon Wardley and I have made Uganda my home for the last 14 years. I am passionate about nature and conservation projects that make a real and tangible difference to animals, the environment and the human communities that share that space.

A couple of years ago, I carried out some fundraising events for a very small team of self driven Ugandans who had demonstrated a level of commitment towards conservation and community sensitisation projects that were both realistic and impactful.

Since then, the Herp Fauna team have continued to prove how much they believed in their initiative through hard work, self education and dedication to their cause which, in simple terms, is saving lives of environmentally important animal species and the people who cohabit with them.

Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions around the world currently suffer a virtually unmeasured number of deaths and severe disabilities as a direct result of snakebite incidents.

Here are some of the facts surrounding one of the WHO's most deadly NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases). It is condensed for this GoFundMe platform, yet it highlights the seriousness of a problem that is essentially solvable.

*****

Venomous snakes bite an estimated 5.5 million people annually, causing 1.8 million envenomations and 125,000 deaths, with three to five times that number of people thought to suffer from long-term morbidity. You can probably double those figures due to lack of reliable data and unreported incidents, as well as deaths mistakenly attributed to other causes.

One statistic that is clear, is that bites are most common in younger adults and children, with children and the elderly suffering the greatest risk of death. Most incidents occur in tropical and sub-tropical regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, where the impact is very severe.

Snakebite is a deadly yet neglected tropical disease, often overlooked by global health agencies. Advocates, such as the Herp Fauna team, are pushing for greater recognition, and snakebite was added to the WHO neglected tropical disease (NTD) list in 2017, followed by a World Health Assembly resolution in 2018.

Despite this, snakebite receives little attention or support from global health agencies or charities.

You can visit the Herp Fauna website at

https://herpfauna.com/

WHO ARE WE & WHAT DO WE DO?

Herp Fauna Foundation (U) LTD, led by experienced animal handlers with over 17 years of expertise, addresses the critical lack of knowledge about snakes and snake bites in communities. They have developed a curriculum for training and sensitizing the public on the dangers of snake bites.

Their program, based on research in over 15 Ugandan districts, aims to educate both formal and informal science educators. Training sessions last 3.5 hours, involving hands-on experience with live snakes to ensure lasting impressions.

They have also conducted week-long trainings at some of the nation's most popular national parks, teaching staff to safely handle and relocate snakes. School outreaches, including sessions at The French School in Kampala, engage young learners on the importance of reptiles and safecoexistence.

This GoFundMe Campaign - how it helps.

The problem is so widespread in Uganda and the lack of reliable data is so prevalent that Herp Fauna decided the best practice in the first instance would be to focus on one particular region that has been deeply impacted by snakebites and their consequences. The goal is to focus on the Kalangala region and provide a structured education and intervention initiative backed up with a supply of species relevant anti-venoms. The results will be closely monitored, recorded and passed on to organisations such as the WHO who are in desperate need of such data if they are to start channelling more significant levels of funding on a national scale.

Interventions:

1. Cost of Anti-Venom:

Anti-venom costs vary widely. A single vial can range from $100 to $120, and full treatment often requires multiple vials (between 6-10) making it very expensive. In Uganda, treatment costs can reach millions of shillings. While subsidies may exist in rural areas, the financial burden remains huge for people who have little to no reliable income.

2. Types of Anti-Venom Needed in Kalangala:

Kalangala District, like much of Uganda, has various venomous snakes. Common antivenoms needed include:

• Black Mamba: Polyvalent anti-venom

• Puff Adder: Polyvalent anti-venom

• Gaboon Viper: Specific or polyvalent anti-venom

• Cobra species: Specific or polyvalent anti-venom

Polyvalent anti-venoms are most common due to the diversity of snake species.

3. Training Medical Staff to Administer Anti-Venom:

Medical staff training is provided by:

• Herp Fauna Foundation: Conducts training, especially in nursing schools.

• NGOs: Organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières offer training and resources.

• Local Hospitals/Universities: Provide specialized training in venomous bites and anti-venom use.

4. Training on Snakebite Response:

• NGOs and International Organizations: WHO and organizations like the Snakebite Initiative often provide comprehensive training on recognizing snakebite symptoms, when to use anti-venom, and the correct approach to snakebite victims.

• Local health authorities in some districts call Herp Fauna Foundation to give basic training on first aid and management of snakebites so that the local health ministries can offer specific guidelines and training sessions for healthcare providers on the ground.

• Training Manuals and Workshops: Medical schools and professional associations may also hold workshops or distribute manuals on the proper management of snakebite cases.

• Remote Training Programs: In areas where in-person training is challenging, remote programs or telemedicine may be used to ensure medical staff are well informed.

WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO?

Herp Fauna are committed to providing the following:

• Proper training is crucial as it can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with snakebites by ensuring that anti-venom is used correctly and only when necessary.
• Ensuring supplies of appropriate anti-venom reach rural healthcare facilities.
• Ensuring appropriate storage facilities are maintained at healthcare facilities.
• Awareness trainings in villages and schools to educate and empower communities on safe coexistence with snakes and what action to take in the event of a bite.
• Record and deliver much needed data to demonstrate the impact of our interventions.
• Seek appropriate levels of funding from donor agencies based on this data with a view to expanding the project from a regional to a national project.
• Providing expert snake relocation services when needed. Neither snakes nor people need to suffer! Snakes are an essential environmental partner. Reducing the impact of a snakebite and dispelling the myths that exist, will reduce the fear of coexistence with them.

Transparency: Expenditure

1. Currently the project has been financed using the Herp Fauna teams' own money that they have earned through their regular jobs. They have even managed to start constructing an education centre in Entebbe where local health workers will be able to travel to (on mass) to receive essential training. Transport costs, overnight accommodation and meals will be provided for initially by the Herp Fauna team. (We believe this is a far more cost effective way to provide the training rather than visiting each health worker individually). We would like to accelerate the completion of the centre.

2. Purchase adequate supplies of region specific vials of antivenom. Purchase appropriate storage equipment to ensure maximum shelf life is achieved. Small solar powered refrigerators are available in-country and can be delivered to community locations.

3. Provision of transport and relocation costs to bring victims of bites to equipped and trained treatment centres.

4. Help with post treatment care costs when necessary.

5. Supporting the Herp Fauna team with their own incidental expenses. We are hoping that the project team will ultimately be able to dedicate themselves full-time to this initiative. This is essential if it is to be a truly impactful solution to a national and regional problem. Of course we will rely on your donations and any fundraising events to make this dream a reality.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have before or after you make a donation. We will be very happy to respond.

Thank you for listening.