Garowe, Puntland State of Somalia. AU-IBAR and the EU Delegation to Somalia convened a two day workshop on 17th and 18th June 2014 to formally launch the new project for Reinforcing Animal Health Services in Somalia (RAHS). This is a nation-wide project that aims to enhance the quality, access and sustainability of animal health services for more than 250,000 households in Somalia. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of public institutions to deliver and regulate animal health services and enhancing public private partnerships in animal health services delivery and livestock disease surveillance and control. The RAHS stakeholders' workshop raised awareness on the objectives, expected results, partnerships and activities of the project.
His Excellency, Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar Camay, the Acting President of the Puntland State of Somalia officially launched the project during a colourful ceremony held at the Rug San Hotel in Garowe, Puntland on 17th June 2014. Also in attendance were, Hon. Prof. Salim Alio Ibro, the Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range of the Somali Federal Republic, Hon. Abullahi Duuale, the Puntland Minister of Livestock and Animal Husbandry, Hon. Abdi Ismail Boss, the Puntland Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Mr. Guuleed, the Puntland Minister of Environment and Ms. Daria Fane, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Somalia. A former Puntland State Minister for Good Governance, Hon. Dr. Mohamed Gae Shaan also attended the launch ceremony.
The Director of AU-IBAR was represented at the launch by the RAHS project Coordinator, Dr. Henry Wamwayi while the two NGO implementing partners of the project were represented by Mr. Damiano Lotteria, the Regional Representative of COOPI and Dr. Paul Rwambo, representing the Regional Director of Terra Nuova in Eastern Africa.
The RAHS project launch ceremony also served as the official opening session for the VET-GOV project Somalia Policy Hub meeting and the joint Animal Resources Information System/Surveillance for Trade Sensitive Diseases Project (ARIS/STSD) training session for participants from Somalia on epidemiological data collection, analysis and Reporting using ARIS.