Thousands of livestock are feared to be suffering from diseases in Leer, where it says civilians are already facing severe cases of malnutrition, according to the UN.

The Food and Agriculture Organization says this is because the area is swampy and warns that the situation is alarming.

The UN agency made the statement following an assessment of the area by its Emergency Livestock Response Team for the first time in eight months.

In a report, the FAO says livestock diseases have led to reduction of livestock productivity in the area.

“What we are seeing is a severe deterioration of livestock health and spread of disease, due to the swampy nature of the area,” said FAO Animal Health Officer Botino Malual Kok.

“There are high rates of liver flukes causing fasciolosis that affect cattle, as well as chronic diseases like foot and mouth disease and trypanosomosis. Sheep and goats have been seriously affected by mange and orf”.

The agency says the team walked long distances on foot through swampy areas during the assessment.

It says the area is also inaccessible due to insecurity; the emergency team accessed the area after the security situation improved.

The FAO says the team managed to vaccinate and deworm about 6,000 cattle, sheep and goats.