A fully restored animal health diagnostic laboratory in Aleppo city is set to play a major part in strengthening Syria’s animal production and disease control/prevention capacity; ultimately, it will help protect herders’ livelihoods and secure them with a source of food and income. This has been achieved by FAO, with the generous support of the Russian Federation, which enabled rehabilitation works on the damaged laboratory, in addition to the provision of modern equipment and tools to resume its scientific research and other activities.

In representation of the Russian Ambassador in the Syrian Arab Republic, H.E. ALEXANDER EFIMOV, and in attendance of H.E. Hassan Qatana, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, and FAO Representation, a launch ceremony for the Animal Health Laboratory took place on 23 May 2021, to announce the resumption of veterinary. The laboratory will directly benefit more than 20 000 herders, helping to protect their animal assets, and boosting production.