UNOPS donates Livelihood Kits to several Communities in Nimba

The livelihood kits estimated at USD$45, 000 basically included construction materials such as zincs, wheel barrels, steel rods, cements, 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 Zortpa town on Thursday November  23, 2023,  the Coordinator from the UNOPS head office in Zarekore, Magagi Yacouba  said UNOPS encouraged the communities to develop desire for forest conservation which he said remains enviromentally 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. Mr. Yacouba hoped the communities will set a good example for others to emulate.

For his part FDA Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Mr. 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 neccesary.
Mr. 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 thanked the local authorities for their usual  willingness to cooperate with FDA as it strives to police the forest. Making remark, the Development Superintendent of Nimba Mr  Raily Myer said, "We are excited, delighted over the donation". He commended the FDA and the donor for the conservation innitiatives 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, Mr. Saye Thompson have 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 innitiatives as well as livelihood projects such as vegetable gardens, chicken poultries, fish ponds and pigeries.

UNOPS/PAPfor provides direct support 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 of the local population.