A group of 300 fishermen in Bor County, Jonglei State, have received fishing boats from the Norwegian Refugees Council.

The canoes are intended to increase the fishing capacity of the farmers and improve food security for more than 400 beneficiaries.

175 fishermen in Gakyoum within Bor town received five boats, while 125 others received seven in Baidit Payam, a few miles away from the state capital.

This brings to 16 the total number of boats the Norwegian Church Aid has given to farmers in Bor this month.

“We are doing this because we have seen there is a huge need here, these people are doing fishing but they are okay in fishing but they have challenges,” said David Garang, a NRC food security and livelihood staff.

A 40 year old fisherman, Adeng Ngong Adeng, who is also a community chief, has welcomed the donation.

“We were fishermen since, starting from our father until our ages. We go fishing, the fishing is supporting us. And as we are given these canoes now, we are able to take our nets for fishing so that they help us,” he said.

The fishermen are regrouping into teams of 25 for one boat.