A Training of Trainers on Zoonotic and Transboundary Diseases

06 February 2019, Tunis

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a five-day training of trainers workshop in Tunisia, in collaboration with the National Animal Health Center of the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Marine Resources.

These workshops are part of the Emergency Assistance for Outbreaks of Deadly Zoonotic Diseases (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Rift Valley Fever and Rabies) in Libya, financed by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of the United Nations. This project aims at strengthening capacity of Libyan veterinarians for effective surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases for protecting humans and animals and reduce their economic impact on food security.

From 28 January to 1 February, 16 Libyan veterinary doctors were trained on the epidemiology of the three diseases (HPAI, RVF and Rabies) and Emergency Management Practices for Animal health. Six other participants in charge of communication were trained in veterinary communication.

The participants will be themselves delivering training courses to their colleagues at five targeted regions (Benghazi, Derna, Sirte, Sabha and Tripoli), in Libya.

Philippe Ankers, the coordinator of the FAO Office for North Africa, stressed the continuous support that FAO provides to the Libyan Veterinary Services for the prevention and control of animal diseases through different national and regional Technical Cooperation programmed projects including FMD, HPAI, PPR, Vector Born diseases.

Abdelmunam Sadaka, the General Director of International Cooperation at the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Marine Resources, praised the ongoing collaboration with FAO. He said during the workshop, “we are grateful for the focus brought by FAO experts in strengthening capacities of veterinary services for effective surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases and the protection of livestock and human health in Libya, a well needed task at these difficult moments”.

Zakaria Alkhattal, the director general of the National Center of Animal Health, and National Coordinator of FAO-Libya joint project thanked FAO for its support and acknowledged the excellent collaboration between FAO and Libya.

Mohammed Bengoumi, Animal Production and Health Officer at FAO Office for North Africa and Lead Technical Officer of the project, stressed the importance of this training program, organized with the National Animal Health Center in Libya. He added, “This is a substantial activity within the CERF-funded project, sending a strong message of commitment in fighting against zoonotic diseases and trans-boundary diseases.”

Activities of the Emergency Assistance for combatting Deadly Zoonotic Diseases will continue until June 2019 through a set of training sessions for veterinarians and farmers, awareness campaigns on the risks of these diseases, vaccination of dogs against rabies, and field surveys on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and Rift Valley Fever.