UNDP supports Gaza fishery sector, funded by Islamic Dev. Bank – UNDP/PAPP press release

Press Release

With funds from the Islamic Development Bank

UNDP provides rapid support to the fishery sector in the Gaza Strip

Gaza, November 19, 2009 – The General Syndicate of Marine Fishers (GSMF), and Al-Tawfiq Cooperative Society of Fishermen (TCSF) to support the fishery sector in Gaza signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme worth US$700,000 in support of the fishery sector in Gaza. The ceremony was attended by Nizar Ayyash Head of GSMF, Mahmoud Al Assi Head of TCSF, Balma Yahaya Head of UNDP/PAPP Gaza Office, and the NGOs chairmen.

The project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, aims to support the severely damaged sector from the latest Cast lead operation and the continuous restrictions facing the fishery industry. The project activities will include the rehabilitation of 118 damaged fishing boats, provision of gearing boxes and vocational training on carpentry and mechanical works to targeted fisheries.

The project is expected to generate employment for approximately 164 fishermen and benefit a total number of 3,770 fishermen and workers who completely depend on fishery in their livelihoods.

It is worth noting that due to the expansion of the “buffer zone” by the IDF, Palestinian fishermen are prevented from fishing beyond three nautical miles from the coastline.

“All sectors are damaged, however the fishery sector is suffering on a daily basis in Gaza and we hope that this project will contribute to its recovery” Mr. Ayyash said.

For further information, please contact:

In Jerusalem: Dania Darwish, Communications Officer, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org, Conal Urquhart, External Relations Advisor, Tel. +972-2-6268200 – e-mail: conal.urquhart@undp.org, In Gaza: Najla Shawa, Communications Associate, Tel. +972-8-2822167 – e-mail: Najla.shawa@undp.org

In New York: Sausan Ghosheh Communication’s officer, Tel. +1 (212) 906-5382 – e-mail: sausan.ghosheh@undp.org. For more information on UNDP/PAPP see http://www.undp.ps .

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build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As

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