UNDP has handed over a set of fish processing facilities to five coastal communities through the GEF-funded project “Adapting to climate change induced coastal risks management in Sierra Leone.”

The facilities include solar-powered cold rooms, fish processing facilities, raised platform and storage facilities with oven and solar-powered water distribution in 5 Project Locations (Shenge, Turtle Island, Conakridee, Tombo, and Goderich) and a jetty in two project Locations (Shenge and Turtle Island) totaling a budget of 2 million dollars.

The project which started in 2018, was intended to strengthen the ability of the six coastal communities (Lakka/Goderich, Hamilton, Tombo, Conakridee, Shenge & Turtle Island) to systematically manage climate change risks and impacts on physical infrastructure and economic livelihoods due to the effects of coastal erosion, flooding, and storm surges an affecting their livelihoods through reduced fishing productivity, and ecosystem degradation. The project, therefore, adopted a multilayered approach to addressing the risks and associated challenges in the communities.

In Shenge, a 150m long jetty, solar-powered cold room, storage facilities equipped with fish drying ovens, fish processing facilities, and raised platform were constructed to facilitate effective fish cleansing, processing, and creating access to the market through a safe landing and take-off jetty.

Speaking on behalf of the Resident Representative of UNDP Sierra Leone, Tanzila Sankoh explained the importance of the facilities which she said is part of introducing climate-resilient livelihood options and approaches to addressing the climate risk facing coastal communities . She called on the community to ensure the sustainable use of the facility.

“It is expected that strong management mechanism will be in place to sustainably utilize these facilities and hope these facilities will improve the livelihoods of this community , the neighboring Islands and you to become more climate resilient,” she said. 

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Honorable Emma Kowa-Jalloh also emphasized the need for the leaders of the Kagboro Chiefdom, to take steps to ensure the facilities are protected and used for their intended purpose for the good of the community. She expressed her Ministry commitment to support the management of the facilities.

Similar handing-over ceremonies will be conducted in Turtle Island Conakridee, Goderich, and Tombo, 

About the project 

The "Adapting to Climate Change Induced Coastal Risks Management in Sierra Leone" project started in 2018, was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Environment Protection Agency National Tourist Board ,  and the  Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography to “Strengthen the ability of coastal communities to systematically manage climate change risks and impacts on physical infrastructure and economic livelihoods”.

The project’s approach adopted delivered three complimentary outcomes to address the barriers in a coherent and holistic manner. Enhanced availability of high-quality climate risk information that is critical for development decision-making in the coastal zone.

• Appropriate protection measures, policy, budgeting and legal tools, and integrated coordination mechanisms were developed to improve and support policy design and implementation in dealing with current and long-term coastal challenges.

• Public awareness enhanced and climate resilient alternatives to sand mining promoted for better adhesion of policymakers and communities on adaptation.