Kindigu has helped Sophia carry the weight of daily life for years.

Now, as drought tightens its grip, she can only watch as the donkey her family depends on struggles without enough water or food.

“I am afraid of what will happen to him if the situation continues,” Sophia says. “When I see him suffering, I feel helpless.”

Her fear is becoming a deadly reality for donkeys across Tanzania.

In Kibondo, approximately 1,500 donkeys were left behind around the former Mtendeli and Nduta refugee camps. They now wander beneath the punishing sun with no dependable food, clean water, shelter, or veterinary care.

Twenty-two donkeys have reportedly already died.

Another 413 urgently need veterinary assessment or treatment. Around 1,500 need emergency food. Some are suffering from severe sunburn and skin damage. Others are growing weaker from dehydration and contaminated water.

And in the drought-stricken villages of Gulwe, Malolo, Lupeta, Massa, and Mtera, the crisis is closing in on Kindigu and hundreds more.

Around 50 donkeys are already in very poor condition. An estimated 1,145 are at risk as water and food disappear. Our partner OCI is ready to deliver 20,000 litres of emergency water—but without immediate support, thirsty donkeys will continue to suffer.

This is not a warning about what might happen. Donkeys are suffering and dying now.

Animals First Aid, in partnership with ADEL and OCI, is urgently working to provide clean water, emergency feed, veterinary treatment, shade, and protection across both crisis areas.

Please send a gift of $50 or more today.

Your compassion can help put water in front of a desperately thirsty donkey, bring food to an animal weakened by hunger, and get urgent veterinary care to those already injured or sick.

Sophia should not have to watch Kindigu fade away. And no abandoned donkey should be left to die beneath the burning sun.

Please act before another life is lost.

P.S. Twenty-two donkeys have reportedly already died. Please give $50 or more now to help rush water, food, and veterinary care to those still waiting.