European Union, FAO continue rehab efforts to Yolanda victims

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MANILA, Philippines—The European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization continue with their rehabilitation efforts to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Leyte after it struck last year.

“It is rewarding to see how the fisherfolks have become more empowered one year after Typhoon Haiyan. I hope that the local communities sustain the hardwork and collaboration to ensure that Abuyog will become more self-reliant. Recovery is, indeed, possible when combined efforts are focused on a common objective,” Ambassador Guy Ledoux said in a statement.

Ledoux, Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olša, Jr., FAO Representative to the Philippines José Luis Fernandez and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Juan Albaladejo visited the town of Abuyog recently.

“Throughout FAO’s intervention, emphasis is put on ensuring that fisheries-based livelihoods are restored in a way that is meaningful, sustainable and builds resilience to natural disasters”, said Fernandez, after thanking the support FAO received from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) of the EU.

“The rehabilitation process of the fisheries sector presents the opportunity to introduce improved practices to contribute to more resilient livelihoods,” Fernandez further said.

The EU has provided € 1.5 million (USD 1.9 million) for fisherfolks affected by typhoon Yolanda.

Under this EU ECHO-funded project, the provision of boat engines to some 1,700 fishers is just one of the steps leading to the rehabilitation of fishing communities’ livelihoods.

In ensuring people’s livelihoods in affected regions, the project’s activities and appropriate inputs were identified in close collaboration with fisheries communities, through village consultations and individual household visits.

In addition to the boat engines, they will provide 3,000 fishers with material to mend or replace their lost fishing gear, 1,000 women with training in fish-processing, storage, and conservation to diversify their livelihood, and assist 1,000 seaweed farmers with materials and technical capacity-building to restore seaweed farms.

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