A fish vendor transporting fish at one of the landing sites.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BANJUL, GAMBIA– The Gambia faces profound effects of climate change. A Green Climate Fund (GCF) supported Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement in the Gambia (PROREFISH Gambia), a pioneering project will address these challenges. The official launch of PROREFISH Gambia is scheduled for Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center (SDKJ-ICC).

Embracing Climate Resilience for Sustainable Livelihoods

The Project aims to address increased resilience and enhanced livelihoods, health, wellbeing, food and water security of the most vulnerable people, communities and regions. Expected results include resilience of ecosystems, ecosystem services, infrastructure and the built environment to climate change threats as well as reduced emissions from land use, reforestation, reduced deforestation through sustainable forest management and conservation of forest stocks.The project will scale up adaptation measures that have been proven in a number of countries in West Africa, and in similar contexts, with a particular focus on climate-proofing fisheries infrastructure and on value chain segments dominated by women (fish handling and processing). PROREFISH Gambia will promote the adoption of aquaculture technologies and support the strengthening of an enabling environment for Gambian fisheries and promote a stronger engagement of the private sector.

With its vulnerable coastal positioning and reliance on the Gambia River Basin, the nation has to safeguard its climate-sensitive sectors, particularly fisheries. The Government of the Gambia  provided co-financing and  will jointly implement project with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

PROREFISH Gambia

The launch of PROREFISH Gambia underscores the unwavering commitment of the Gambian Government to fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders and partners. The USD25 million project will increase the resilience and enhance the livelihoods of 167,643 vulnerable Gambians dependent on the fisheries value chain. Beneficiaries will be supported to adapt to the impact of climate change and improve their livelihoods through the adoption of climate resilient aquaculture, climate proofing of small-scale fisheries infrastructure and through fisheries habitat restoration.

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FAO Representation in The Gambia     

10^th Street East, ‘M’ Section, Fajara                                                                                                                                                            

P.M.B. 10, Banjul Post Office                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Banjul, The Gambia