SDRPY Rehabilitates Fishermen’s ‘Khaysa’ to Support Livelihoods in Socotra

 The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) implemented an initiative to rehabilitate the fishermen’s “khaysa” site in the Badhula area, south of Socotra Archipelago Governorate, as part of its humanitarian and development efforts to support the fisheries sector and improve livelihoods for coastal communities.
 The rehabilitation of the khaysa came in response to the needs of local fishermen to ease the difficulties they faced in moving boats in and out of the shore, which previously required significant human effort and hindered the continuation of fishing activities.
 The site covers an area of about 12,000 square meters, and approximately 25,000 cubic meters of sand and flood debris were removed, contributing to the site’s rehabilitation, expansion, and improved capacity to safely receive boats.
 The SDRPY development initiative benefits 240 fishermen working on about 80 fishing boats, with their family members totaling around 1,440 people, giving the initiative a direct impact on a wide segment of the local community.
 The khaysa had previously suffered total damage due to the accumulation of soil and sand caused by torrential floods from cyclones and heavy rains that affected Socotra in recent years, which narrowed its area and hindered boat movement.
 Fishermen praised the reopening and expansion of the khaysa, affirming that it represents a lifeline for continuing fishing activities, their primary source of livelihood. They added that the rehabilitation has eased their daily hardships in securing boats from strong currents that used to pull them away, as well as the difficulties they faced in manually hauling boats ashore after fishing trips.