OVER 3,800 fisherfolk islandwide are receiving assistance to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ivan through a $13 million grant provided by 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 2,000 fisherfolk have each received mesh wire and other fishing equipment from the JFCU. The tertiary level fishing coop is also the major supplier of fishing equipment to fishing cooperatives in Jamaica. Disbursement began in March this year and will continue through 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."
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.
