UN and UAE to help food producers rebuild their lives

Prathapachandra Shetty, executive director of Emirates Star Fisheries, says many fishing villages along the Yemeni coast had been affected because of the conflict. Antonie Robertson / The National

ABU DHABI // Farmers, fishermen and herders whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the conflict in Yemen will receive a helping hand in their rehabilitation next year.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), with the help of the UAE, will assist them with the next harvest by providing them with seeds, vaccines, fertiliser and livestock.

“We have colleagues in Sanaa and we are now formulating projects for emergency relief,” said Mehdi Drissi, the FAO representative in the UAE and FAO subregional coordinator for the GCC and Yemen. “This means livelihood rehabilitation for farmers, fishermen and herders in conflict-affected zones.”

The UAE has been part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen since March, tasked with safeguarding the Gulf’s security and stability, which the Houthi uprising has threatened.

Local food producers found themselves caught in the midst of the battle, ruining their ability to provide for their families and in bringing their produce to market.

“It’s very normal that any country that is at war and that has a long coast to have security measures in place to keep fishermen safe from harm,” said Ali Al Mansouri, head of the Abu Dhabi Fishermen Cooperation.

“It has had an impact. There are areas that are restricted because of military decisions. Fishermen have to keep away from certain areas and stay in national waters, away from reserves and islands.”

He said certain rules applied in wartime. “There are other marine forces present in regional waters so there are some restrictions,” he said. “But the UAE is taking good care of them.”

Although some projects have received funding, US$35 million (Dh128.5m) is still needed for Yemen for the local producers. “A $5 million project in livestock would help us help 5,000 families,” said Mr Drissi. “If you have to provide cattle, it’s a lot of money. Many families are in need but we have to start with them.”

The UAE is considered the top global donor when measuring the proportion of international aid it provides against GDP, including humanitarian assistance.

In the past week, Mr Drissi said he had submitted proposals to the Red Crescent, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Khalifa Fund.

“We are not able to do anything without funding. I was told we will get it by next year. Our priority now is Yemen and Palestine.”

Yemeni food producers have struggled to survive after being suddenly uprooted. Prathapachandra Shetty, executive director of Emirates Star Fisheries in Dubai, said many fishing villages along the coast, ranging from the borders of Saudi Arabia to Oman, had been affected.

“Families who were previously involved in fishing have now stopped due to loss of family members or destruction of fishing nets and small boats used for fishing,” he said. “They have to be listed so they can be helped.”

Mohammed Al Zaabi, an Abu Dhabi fisherman, said boats, hooks and bait were key to restarting their work. “The Indian Ocean is a bit more difficult than the Arabian Gulf because it’s more open so it’s hard to catch fish,” he said. “But the UAE will help them get back on their feet.”

Mr Drissi said food and water topped the agenda for Yemen’s needs.

“I was happy to see the UAE plan for reconstruction,” he said. “They said that the first priority for them was reconstruction, education and population. But I hope food will come right away because you can’t do without it. You need food before going to school and the right for food is the top right for human beings, together with health and education. But you cannot be healthy and get educated if you don’t eat.”