Lebanon

5 November 2008

Four hundred boats were destroyed, fishing activity was completely halted and more than 5,000 fishermen lost their unique source of income affecting thousands of families that used to rely on the fishing sector for their livelihoods. This was the impact of the July 2006 war on fishermen's livelihood as a result of the bombing and oil spill along the Lebanese shores.

UNDP rapidly identified fishermen as one of the groups heavily affected by the conflict. Interventions to facilitate quick resuming of activities were initiated starting with the identification of fishermen needs and followed by the procurement of lost equipment such as fishing nets, hooks, lines, ropes and fishing floats. In addition, fishermen identified a need for better hygiene practices at the ports and therefore the project also procured cleaning materials and detergents, high pressure washers for cleaning the fish markets, specialized pocket knives and rain suits.

Following the replacement of the equipment, UNDP enlarged the scope of its support beyond recovery and identified, in consultation with the directorate general of cooperatives at the ministry of agriculture, an imminent need of the cooperatives to enhance their accounting capacity and techniques. A training was conducted in several cooperatives according to recognized international norms and standards. In addition a propriety accounting software was implemented in four pilot cooperatives to enhance their accounting systems.
This intervention was unique in its approach and resulting interaction, unique for the fishermen but also unique for UNDP staff who developed stronger ties with this group.

"UNDP was the only one that genuinely addressed the needs of fishermen for the first time...UNDP helped us not only financially but also morally" says Mr. Joseph Matta, Head of Dbayeh Fishermen Cooperative and Fisherman.

UNDP support to fishermen and the fishing sector will not be limited to the recovery activities already implemented but is moving beyond with the development of longer term programmes addressing sustainable and diversified sources of incomes, with the introduction for example of ecotourism activities for the fishing sector.

This initiative is co-funded by the generous contribution of CIDA.