Recently, the resettled communities in the Muthur, Soodaikudah and Kadatkaraichchenai areas in the Sampoor Trincomalee District came together to celebrate the milestones of support received under the EU funded Catalytic Support to Peacebuilding Programme in Sri Lanka.
As such, with the presence of Mr. N.Pratheepan, Assistant District Secretary of Trincomalee, Mr. Mohamed Muzain, UNDP Programme Manager of the EU funded Catalytic Support to Peacebuilding Programme in Sri Lanka along with other Government officials, several cooperative facilities needed to enhance the livelihoods of the people in the Muthur area were handed over back to the communities.
During the day, the Muthur East Fisheries Union Cooperative Society members were provided support through the distribution of several boats and fishing gear and equipment including nets, engines, fish finder, GPS devices etc along with a newly renovated road, making it easier for fisher communities to access the Soodaikudah Sea area for fishing.
Speaking at the opening, Mr. Pratheepan stated, “The Societies in Muthur are privileged to receive the continuous support of UNDP and the EU to help communities thrive. While taking this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey of empowerment, I also want to urge the cooperatives here to use these resources given and make the most of it for yourselves, your families and your societies.”
Supported together with the local partner Peace Winds Japan, the society also declared open a Dryfish Production Centre and a Mini Ice Plant, essential to ensure value addition and that communities avoid wastage when they are unable to sell their catch of the day. Later in the day, the Muthur East Diary Development Cooperative Society members were given a UNDP-supported Milk Sales & Collection Centre.
Addressing the community, Mr. Muzain stated, “These milestones are a testament to what we can achieve if we can all work together. The progress we have made is also a product of the continuous partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka, UNDP, the European Union and the communities…to foster local trade and sustainable economic growth in the Trincomalee District to ensure communities are able to enhance their livelihoods.”
These communities are supported under the EU funded Catalytic Support to Peacebuilding Programme in Sri Lanka which is a €8.1 million programme implemented by UNICEF, UNDP and UN-Habitat in partnership with a range of state and non-state partners.