The United Nations Offices for Project Services (UNOPS) has graciously donated much-needed livelihood kits to several communities in Nimba, located within the proximity of the East Nimba Nature Reserve.
The livelihood kits, estimated at US$45,000, basically included construction materials such as zincs, wheel barrows, steel rods, cement, among others.
The communities which benefited from the UNOPS gesture are Zolowee, Zortapa, Bassa Village, Gbapa, Camp 4, and Sehtontuo.
Presenting these livelihood kits at the well-attended occasion, which took place in Zortapa town on Thursday November 23, 2023, the Coordinator from the UNOPS head office in N’zerekore, Magagi Yacouba, said UNOPS encourages the communities to develop desire for forest conservation, which, he said, remains environmentally important as far as life is concerned.
He expressed UNOPS’ preparedness to do more, provided the communities will use these materials for the intended purposes. Yacouba hoped the communities will set a good example for others to emulate.
For his part, FDA Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Joseph Tally, thanked UNOPS for the donation, which, he said, satisfies FDA’s anticipation, most especially at a time when the need to provide livelihoods to the needy communities within the fringes of the protected areas are very much necessary.
Tally urged the communities to use the materials for the intended purpose, so as to inspire the donor to do more. He used the occasion to thank the local authorities for their usual willingness to cooperate with FDA, as it strives to police the forest. Making remarks, the Development Superintendent of Nimba, Raily Myer, said, “We are excited, delighted over the donation.”
He commended the FDA and the donor for the conservation initiatives being carried out to protect the forest, while also challenging the communities to live up to expectations, as regards the proper use of the tools received.
Earlier, the Chairman of the ENNR-CMC, Saye Thompson, gave a historical background of the program. He underscored the importance of ecosystem services and encouraged the communities to get fully involved in the protection of the forest.
Meanwhile, the six communities that benefited expressed commitment to implement conservation initiatives, as well as livelihood projects such as vegetable gardens, chicken poultries, fish ponds, and piggeries.
UNOPS provides direct support to the three agencies responsible for managing protected areas, establish or update a management plan that serves as a basis for the interventions of these agencies, in collaboration with the local population.
