USAID assists fishermen in Kasthurinagar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 May 2004, 17:30 GMT]
The visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Ms Christina Rocca handed over fishing boats and gear, under a project funded by United State Agency for International Development (USAID), to the Kasthurinagar Fisheries Co-operative Society in Trincomalee town Saturday afternoon by the at an event held at the Children's Park located in front of the Trincomalee harbour, sources said. The project was .

Boats are seen opposite Trincomalee harbour

USAID granted $18,000 to the fishing society to provide skills development training and fishing utensils to Tamil Muslim and Sinhala fisher folk of the Kasthurinagar in the east port town, many of whom were displaced during the two decade old conflict, USAID sources said.

Kasthurinagar is a suburb in the heart of Trincomalee town along the Sea View Road, one end of the road meets the Inner Harbour Road and the other end meets North Coast Road across the town, sources said.

Most of the residents of Kasthurinagar are recipients of funds from poverty alleviation scheme (Samurdhi beneficiaries) and they struggle for survival in a war shattered economy.

children of Kasthurinagar beneficiaries attending the event

Chairing the event, Mr.S.Nathan, President of the Kasthurinagar Fisheries Co-operative Society, outlined the urgent need of the society members who are mainly fishermen. He said members of all three communities are in the society and have been working with better understanding and promoting communal harmony.

Ms Christina Rocca officially handed over the new boats. Ms Rocca, Ambassador Mr.Jeffry Lunstead and USAID Regional Programme Officer Ms Brenda Barrett also spoke.

Recently, Mr.David Taylor, Director, Office of Transition Initiatives Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance of USAID based in Washington paid a one-day official visit to Kasthurinagar Fisheries Co-operative Society in Trincomalee two months ago on March 6 Saturday and promised assistance to its members, USAID sources said.

Ms.Rocca arriving at the Children's Park to hand over the boats and gear

Ms Christina Rocca and Mr Lunstead ( US Ambassador) smiling after launching the first boat into the sea ( background Trincomalee harbour)

Ms Rocca cutting the ribbon tied with the new boats