FAO strengthens Iraq’s preparedness for animal diseases through applying “Good Emergency Management Practice”

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iraq, in collaboration with Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MoAWR-KRG), successfully conducted a four-day workshop on "Good Emergency Management Practice (GEMP)" in Erbil. 

The workshop, supported by the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) under the project "Strengthening Iraq Veterinary Legislation and Expanding Delivery of Animal Health Services and Disease Surveillance," aimed to enhance Iraq's preparedness and response capacities to address Transboundary Animal Diseases (TAD), such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Brucellosis, and others pose significant threats to livestock, livelihoods, and food security in Iraq. 

Recognizing the need for stronger veterinary response systems, the workshop focused on equipping 20 multidisciplinary participants, including representatives from Iraq's veterinary services, laboratory specialists, and other key stakeholders with tools and strategies to effectively manage animal health emergencies, based on GEMP principles.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Salah ElHajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, emphasized the importance of preparedness: “highlighting that transboundary animal diseases requires robust emergency management systems that can mitigate risks to both animal health and food security. By implementing GEMP principles, Iraq's veterinary sector will be better prepared to protect its livestock and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems. This workshop reflects FAO's commitment to building sustainable, science-based capacities in Iraq” he said

“It provided participants with the knowledge and practical experience needed to manage animal health emergencies effectively” Dr. Salah added. 

The workshop included a dynamic program including both theoretical learning and hands-on exercises, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of emergency management practices. Participants explored the principles of GEMP, engaged in a simulation exercise to practice outbreak responses, and identified critical gaps in the country’s preparedness systems. They will be engaged to develop a roadmap for improving contingency plans for priority animal diseases, with clear milestones to guide implementation. The workshop also fostered stronger collaboration among stakeholders and introduced FAO’s innovative tools and methodologies, such as EMA-i and EMPRES-i+, to enhance disease detection, reporting, and response capacities.

This initiative was part of FAO’s broader mission to support Iraq in addressing animal health challenges through sustainable and collaborative approaches. By strengthening the capacities of Iraq’s veterinary sector, the initiative aimed to protect livelihoods, enhance food security, and contribute to sustainable agricultural development while reinforcing the One Health approach to animal, human, and environmental health.