The training implemented by the Centre for Community Services (CCS) at Amoud University (AU), the COHESA “Multiplier” in the country held in Borama.
Dr. Yusuf Hared, is the Country Multiplier Lead and Director of CCS, who oversees the training.
Who and How the training will be conducted?
This five-day workshop 5-9 April in Borama use a facilitator guide and participant manual developed by ILRI under the HEAL project. Training was delivered by Prof. Siobhan Mor, who led the material development and HEAL trainings in Ethiopia and Kenya, and Dr. Farah Isse Mumin, a HEAL-affiliated PhD student who participated in those sessions.
Dr. Yusuf Hared, who officially opened training workshop provided an overview of the COHESA project, highlighting key activities completed in the country and how this workshop was initiated in response to capacity gaps identified during the national baseline assessment and net-mapping exercises.
He was followed by senior management from Amoud University, including the Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Vice Presidents for Academics & Research, and Public Relations and Extracurricular Activities.
They expressed their pleasure in welcoming such a committed and diverse group, emphasizing the importance of the workshop as a platform for learning, collaboration, and capacity building.
They noted that the workshop is not only about knowledge transfer but also a space for dialogue, experience-sharing, and practical skill development that can benefit both individuals and institutions.
Gratitude was extended to all organizers, facilitators, and partners. Participants were encouraged to actively engage, ask questions, and collaborate throughout the training.
The President of Amoud University, Dr. Mohamed Musa, then officially declared the workshop open and wished all participants a successful and impactful experience.
Why This Training:
The “One Health” approach brings together different fields to create a joined-up way of improving the health of the people, the animals, and the environment. It recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected and that issues such as diseases, food safety, and environmental health require collaborative, multisectoral and multi-prong efforts.
Higher education institutions and relevant government bodies are crucial in promoting “One Health” in any country. However, the concept is relatively new to Somaliland, primarily introduced by the HORN project, the Borama “One Heath” conference, implemented by Amoud University, and the COHESA project, leading by Amoud university as Multiplier. Many academics and government officials have only a superficial understanding of the said concept and need to learn practical applications.
There is a clear need to train key stakeholders on the basic principles and applications of One Health to strengthen cross-sector collaboration—both at the faculty level in academia and at administrative levels in government.
This activity delivers a ToT for 29 selected participants (22 male, 7 female), including 15 from One Health line ministries at central and regional levels—namely the Ministry of Health Development, Ministry of Agriculture Development, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the National Disaster Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority (NADFOR), as well as the Borama District Municipality.
The remaining 14 participants represent academic and research institutions such as Amoud University, University of Hargeisa, Burao University, Golis University, IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School, Adal University, Alpha University, Eelo University, the Public Health Emergency and Research Center, and the Sadar Development and Resilience Institute.
“The program covers an introduction to One Health principles, followed by a focus on systems thinking. It emphasizes data-driven decision-making for evidence-based practice in One Health and highlights the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination. The final focus is on participatory community engagement within the One Health framework.”