CEO of CVSS/United Way, Winsome Wilkins (left), presents a cheque to Havelon Honeyghan (centre), chairman of the Jamaica Fishermen Cooperative Union, to help fishermen recover from the effects of Hurricane Ivan. Looking on is Errol Cameron, secretary of the union. - CONTRIBUTED
OVER 3,800 fisherfolk islandwide are receiving assistance to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ivan through a J$13.8 million grant provided by the United Way of Jamaica, through the Council for Voluntary Social Services (CVSS).
The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) collaborated with the Jamaica Fishermen Cooperative Union (JFCU) in getting the funding from CVSS/United Way of Jamaica, and the funds are being administered by the JFCU, which is
supplying fishing equipment to its member cooperatives and individual members.
So far, some 2000 fisherfolk have each received mesh wire and other fishing equipment valuing approximately J$3,500 from the JFCU.
The tertiary level fishing co-op is also the major supplier of fishing equipment to fishing
cooperatives in Jamaica.
Disbursement began in March this year and will continue though to the end of 2005.
According to JFCU board chairman, Havelon Honeyghan, "The fisherfolk are getting the equipment and supplies through their primary fishing cooperatives which are members of the JFCU, such as Gillings Gully, Old Harbour, Rocky Point, Alloa, Hope Bay, Rae Town, the Corporate Area and Negril.
"Where there are no active cooperatives the JFCU staff go and directly hand out the equipment," he added.
The JFCU chairman also expressed gratitude to CVSS/United Way for coming to the aid of fishermen and women who have had difficulty recovering their livelihood after the devastation of Hurricane Ivan.
He noted that the assistance will go a long way in helping these persons to provide for themselves and their families.
