On September 29, 2015, BALADI celebrated the completion of USAID assistance for improving the fishermen cooperative facilities at Jounieh Port.

The event held at Jounieh port was attended by Ambassador David Hale, USAID Mission Director Carolyn Bryan, RMF Executive Director Michel Moawad, the representative of the Head of the Office of Common Administration at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities Racha Hourani, the Mayor of Jounieh Antoine Frem, representatives of the Fishermen’s Coop, and other local officials and members of the community. Attendees toured the new local fish auction and fish cooking area that helps fishermen from Jounieh and the surrounding areas of Tabarja, Okaibeh, and Bouwar in Keserwan district sell their fresh catch at premium prices and increase their sales of cooked fish as well. Attendees also examined the boat repair workshop established with USAID support and other renovated sections of the port that help fishermen in their daily operations. USAID provided $226,000 to help Jounieh municipality implement this project for the Fishermen’s cooperative. The new wholesale fish auction area and the rehabilitated fishermen’s operational premises will directly increase the sales of more than 150 persons.

The five-year, USAID-funded BALADI project will continue through 2017, supporting 17 municipal-led development activities in 58 municipalities and improving the livelihoods of more than 100,000 people throughout Lebanon. In 2015, 40 new additional municipal activities will be selected for assistance under the program. USAID BALADI supports municipalities to work inclusively with citizens to accomplish priority community development activities.

More pictures on the completion event are available on BALADI facebook page and on this link:

https://www.facebook.com/BaladiLebanon/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums