Sheep vaccination campaign in Homs

The Syrian Future Movement is closely following the launch by the Homs Directorate of Agriculture of a comprehensive vaccination campaign targeting 500,000 sheep on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, against foot-and-mouth disease and enterotoxemia (intestinal poisoning). This initiative is part of a national strategy to protect livestock and ensure food security in Syria. We view it as a vital investment in livestock health, a safeguard for the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on sheep farming as their primary source of income, and a realization of the “New Syria” vision for achieving sustainable development and food security.

The Syrian Future Movement commends this step, which establishes a comprehensive preventative system and contributes to protecting flocks from serious diseases that can lead to their death, negatively impact meat and dairy production, and inflict heavy losses on farmers. We have followed the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform’s announcement that the campaign includes vaccinating 300,000 sheep against foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious viral disease that causes sores in the mouth and feet, affects meat and milk production, and can lead to animal death in some cases.

The campaign also includes vaccinating 200,000 sheep against enterotoxemia, one of the most common bacterial diseases among sheep. The risk of infection increases with sudden changes in diet, especially in well-fattened sheep.

We see this campaign as a manifestation of scientific and preventative planning, and a response to a pressing need of livestock breeders, especially given the challenges facing the livestock sector in Syria.

The Syrian Future Movement believes that the livestock sector constitutes a fundamental pillar of the national economy and contributes to food security.

We commend this initiative, which contributes to protecting livestock from diseases, increasing production efficiency, improving the quality of animal products, enhancing the sector’s ability to meet local market needs, and reducing reliance on imports.

We also note that this campaign is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the agricultural and livestock sectors, recently demonstrated by €50 million in agricultural support for eastern Syria (July 21, 2026) and the launch of the International Agriculture, Food, and Industry Exhibition in Damascus (July 27, 2026).

The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its unwavering support for developing the agricultural and livestock sectors and enhancing food security, as published on its official website, including:

• The statement on “€50 Million in Agricultural Support for Eastern Syria” (July 22, 2026), which praised the agricultural support directed to the eastern region and emphasized that investing in agriculture is an investment in food security.
• The statement regarding the “Determining the Wheat Purchase Price for the 2026 Season” (dated May 19, 2026) called for a review of prices to align with actual production costs and to link them to a flexible exchange rate, ensuring fair pricing and encouraging farmers to continue cultivating the land.
• The study “Reconstruction Priorities in Syria” (dated December 19, 2024) emphasized that supporting the agricultural sector and developing infrastructure are top priorities for reconstruction and achieving sustainable development.

While the Syrian Future Movement supports this important step, it reiterates that the true success of this campaign is not measured by the number of animals vaccinated, but rather by its ability to achieve tangible change in the livestock sector and ensure the long-term sustainability of this impact.

Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:

1. Ensuring the continuity and expansion of the campaign to include all areas of Homs Governorate, especially remote areas far from veterinary centers, similar to the Directorate’s call for livestock breeders to visit extension units and veterinary centers.
2. Enhancing agricultural awareness and guidance by organizing educational seminars for livestock breeders on the importance of vaccination, disease prevention methods, and the necessary actions to take in case of any symptoms, in line with the Directorate’s commitment to educating breeders about disease risks and prevention methods.
3. Providing the necessary vaccines and veterinary supplies, ensuring their availability at all veterinary centers, and establishing a cold chain for vaccine preservation to guarantee their effectiveness, in line with the Directorate’s commitment to providing the necessary vaccines.
4. Linking vaccination efforts to comprehensive agricultural development plans, including the provision of subsidized feed, breed improvement, and the development of livestock infrastructure, to ensure self-sufficiency and boost livestock exports.

The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its welcome of this important step, which confirms the Syrian government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural and livestock sectors and enhancing food security.

We affirm that investing in livestock is an investment in Syria’s future and a message of hope that the new Syria is capable of overcoming its challenges and regaining its role as a productive and prosperous nation.

We call on the Syrian government, breeders and relevant authorities to build on this momentum, expand cooperation and ensure that this campaign serves as a model for successful partnership in supporting the livestock sector, a source for improving the lives of citizens, and building a new Syria on the foundations of resilience and sustainable development.