The United Nations has declared 2024 the International Year Of Camelids. The decision has been taken to highlight the significant importance of camelids in the lives of people across the world.
- The Year will highlight how camelids are key to the livelihoods of millions of households in hostile environments across over 90 countries, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
About Camelids
- As a group Camelids include alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, vicuñas which together help in ensuring food security, nutrition and economic growth especially for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
- Camelids play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations.
- Camelids are a source of milk and meat which helps people fight hunger. They also provide fibre which can be used for clothing and shelter. Camelids are also used by people as a means of transportation.
- They also provide organic fertiliser which can be used in agriculture. Moreover, Camelids are known to survive in harsh conditions.
- In the highlands of Andes mountain ranges and in the arid and semi-arid lands in Africa and Asia, camelids play a major role in the livelihood of the inhabitants.
- Camelids can thus be ambassadors to raise awareness about climate change.
