Socotra Fisheries Rehabilitation: SDRPY Reopens Khaysa To Boost Fishermen Livelihoods

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) recently rehabilitated a damaged fishermen’s khaysa in the Badhula area, south of Socotra Archipelago Governorate, restoring safe boat access. The initiative aimed to support the local fisheries sector and protect livelihoods in nearby coastal communities that depend on daily fishing.

The project directly supported 240 registered fishermen operating about 80 boats, and indirectly assisted their families, estimated at 1,440 people. By reopening the khaysa and improving access, SDRPY strengthened income stability for a wide segment of residents whose main source of earnings remained small-scale fishing.

The khaysa site extended over roughly 12,000 square metres, and SDRPY teams cleared about 25,000 cubic metres of sand and flood debris. This large-scale removal allowed the area to be expanded and reshaped, improving capacity and enabling boats to enter and leave the shore more safely.

Before rehabilitation, accumulated soil and sand from torrential floods, caused by recent cyclones and heavy rains, had almost destroyed the khaysa. The narrowing of the access area obstructed boat movement, disrupted regular fishing trips, and forced crews to use significant manual effort to cross the shoreline.

According to local accounts, the restored and enlarged khaysa became a practical lifeline for continuing fishing activities. Fishermen explained that the improved facility reduced the physical burden of moving boats, supported more regular work patterns, and helped maintain the fisheries supply that served markets across Socotra.

Fishermen also noted that the renovated structure helped secure vessels from strong sea currents that previously dragged boats away from the coast. With easier boat hauling after trips and safer docking, daily operations became more reliable, aligning with SDRPY’s broader humanitarian and development support for Yemen’s coastal communities.

With inputs from SPA