Completed Project – 6

In 2024, Kaalo Nederland implemented the Sustainable Livelihood Project, a targeted initiative aimed at empowering vulnerable communities with practical fishery skills and essential equipment to restore their livelihoods and strengthen local economies.

The project focused on 20 former nomads who had relocated to the coastal town of Eyl after losing their livestock to recurrent droughts. With traditional sources of income depleted, these individuals were offered a new path forward through sustainable fishing.

Key Achievements:

• Six months of intensive fishery training provided to all 20 participants.
• Training covered critical skills such as:
  • Personal safety and sea survival
  • Boat handling and basic navigation
  • Swimming and water awareness
  • Gear maintenance and repair
  • Baiting, casting, and harvesting techniques
  • Weather monitoring and environmental awareness
• After training, participants were equipped with:
  • 2 Volvo fishing boats
  • 20 professional fishing nets
• The trainees were then organized into two fishing crews, each consisting of 10 members, and formalized under a single fishery cooperative.

Impact:

This initiative marked a major milestone in livelihood restoration and economic resilience for displaced pastoralists. By introducing sustainable fishing as an alternative source of food and income, the project has contributed to:

• Poverty reduction (SDG 1)
• Zero hunger and improved food security (SDG 2)
• Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8)
• Sustainable use of marine resources (SDG 14)

By transforming former nomads into skilled fishermen, the project fostered self-reliance, community cohesion, and long-term adaptability in the face of climate change and economic instability.