Agriculture Minister discusses with (ICRC) delegation the mechanisms for future cooperation

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Amjad Badr, discussed today with the Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Syria, Stefan Sakalian, and the accompanying team, the mechanisms for future cooperation between the two sides, as well as establishing a joint action plan targeting farmers in Syria.

Dr. Badr emphasized the importance of increasing and activating cooperation with the ICRC, enhancing previous projects, and facilitating the work of projects that the organization intends to support in Syria.

He pointed out the need to avoid obstacles that have hindered the organization’s work and stressed the importance of developing a joint action plan to implement the organization’s projects for farmers.

He noted that the ministry’s primary goal is the welfare of farmers and providing the necessary services and facilities to enhance their production and improve their living conditions, highlighting the importance of accurately defining criteria for selecting beneficiaries.

For his part, Stefan Sakalian expressed the ICRC’s desire to expand its projects in Syria and support and finance various initiatives, particularly technical projects, water projects, providing livestock vaccinations, and training ministry staff scientifically.

The Head of the ICRC delegation in Syria, Sakalian, reviewed the main activities that the committee has implemented during the previous period in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, some challenges faced, and proposed solutions.

He emphasized the importance of framing work within a memorandum of understanding and defining cooperation priorities for the upcoming phase, transitioning from relief efforts to supporting livelihoods through more sustainable projects and providing direct assistance.

Souha Suleiman