Decreasing the burden of neglected animal diseases to improve lives and livelihoods.
The Initiative for Neglected Animal Diseases (INAND) is an African inspired initiative. INAND is a not for profit organisation created with the objective of improving the lives and livelihoods of poor and marginalised communities by contributing to fill the existing gap in the sustainable control of neglected animal diseases.
Neglected animal diseases are those that affect mainly animals of poor and marginalised populations in low-resource settings, and for which there are not significant resources invested in trying to address them. Neglected animal diseases cause decreased productivity and animal mortality, impacting on the livelihoods of individuals and communities.
Some of the neglected animal diseases are zoonotic (naturally transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans), and impact directly on human health. Zoonoses may affect both people living in close contact with the animals, as well as people living in urban and distant populations, for example by being transmitted through the food chain.
 
INAND is an African-based and inspired organisation, with real aspirations and a determination to contribute to decrease the burden of neglected animal diseases in poor communities globally.
Animals play a key role in the lives of poor and most vulnerable communities in low-resource settings. Livestock provides food and income to more than one billion people living in less than $1 per day. Animals are also important providers of income and status to women, who seldom own property, but often own livestock.
INAND is based on key partnerships between mostly local organisations, institutions and private companies. INAND recognises that the African private sector is making a vital contribution to African growth, and the private sector feels the urgent need to take an active role in fulfilling its social responsibilities by addressing the needs of marginalised populations through compatible business interests. INAND also recognises that the African public sector is eager to increase their contribution to solving the problem of neglected animal diseases; local governments and institutions are key stakeholders in delivering sustainable solutions. In addition, an international sector represented by international organisations or non-African organisations and institutions wish to contribute to the control of neglected diseases for various reasons (for example the diseases might be relevant in their own country, or they have research expertise). INAND’s objective is to facilitate the coordination between the different sectors, and enhance the development of the African capabilities.