UNDP helping western Jamaica’s fishing communities rebuild after Melissa
Loading article...
-
Alexander De Croo (seated), administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations under-secretary-general, interacts with Keisha Wint, a blind poultry farmer from South Manchester, as she displays her first aid kit presented to her by the UNDP. Looking on from left are Dr Gavin Bellamy, chief executive officer of the National Fisheries Authority; Tom Meulenberges, special assistant to De Croo; Kishan Khoday, resident representative for the UNDP; Abby-Gale Clarke-Slater, gender analyst with the Bureau of Gender Affairs; and Mitzie Moore-Cooke, acting research officer at the Bureau of Gender Affairs.
-
From left: Stephen Smykle, principal director of Capture Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; Dr Gavin Bellamy, chief executive officer of the National Fisheries Authority; Alexander De Croo, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations (UN) under-secretary-general; Kishan Khoday, resident representative for the UN; Tom Meulenberges, special assistant to De Croo; Jason Henzell, of Breds Foundation; and Trysion Walters, manager of the Galleon Fishing Sanctuary, discussing recovery strategies for fisherfolk and residents of the Galleon community.
-
Fishing boats docked along the Galleon Beach, waiting to return to the sea as local fishers rebuild their livelihoods after Hurricane Melissa.
WESTERN BUREAU:
Alexander De Croo, a senior official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Under-Secretary-General, has indicated that international partnerships are helping coastal communities such as Galleon Fishing Village in St Elizabeth to rebuild stronger following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last year.
Speaking during a community engagement and pop-up media briefing at the Galleon Fishing Village in St Elizabeth, one of the communities hardest hit by the hurricane, De Croo said the visit forms part of a mission to tour affected areas and engage government and private sector partners in discussions on disaster resilience and hurricane recovery.
On Thursday, De Croo noted that the hurricane left widespread destruction, particularly among small-scale fishers whose livelihoods depend heavily on the sea.
“Five months ago, the devastation was gigantic, especially for fishing communities like the ones here,” De Croo said. “But five months later, we are building back better together with local communities and other organisations.”
De Croo explained that the UNDP’s approach goes beyond providing emergency assistance, focusing instead on restoring livelihoods and strengthening resilience against future disasters.
“Despite the difficulty and the hardship of Hurricane Melissa, we are creating opportunities to restore life,” he said. “We were able to make sure that the fishing activity can start over again, but in a better way.”
Among the initiatives introduced in the community are solar-powered cold storage facilities designed to enhance fish preservation while reducing operating costs for fisherfolk.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
“For example, fuelling refrigerators and freezers and working with technological offers such as solar freezers and refrigerators provide new opportunities to have more self-sufficiency in local communities,” De Croo noted.
Trysion Walters, manager of the Galleon Fish Sanctuary, told The Gleaner that the support from the UNDP has been critical as the community continues its recovery.
“It has been a privilege to work with UNDP. They have come to us when we really needed them,” Walters said.
According to Walters, who represents approximately 80 registered fisherfolk operating from the Galleon Fishing Beach, the hurricane wiped out much of the fishing infrastructure in the area.
“The impact of Hurricane Melissa was devastating. We lost every boat here at Galleon. Everything was destroyed,” Walters explained. “We lost the engines too, and the gear shed the following morning to a fire that was ignited by an electrical short.”
He said the community has been slowly rebuilding with support from partners.
“Thanks to UNDP again, we got engines from them,” Walters said. “We look forward to working with you in the future as we build back and build back strong.”
albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com