Last Tuesday, September 28, a delegation from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) – led by its Director Lee Jung Wook – and the Profonanpe team, headed by Anton Willems, attended the inauguration of the ice plants in the San Fernando and Musa Karusha communities, which have been operating for a couple of months.
These two ice plants are powered by solar energy provided by 240 photovoltaic panels and initially began operating in February of this year. However, it was in May that the installation of solar-powered ice production plants enabled the fishermen of San Fernando and Musa Karusha to maintain the cold chain, so they can now preserve and transport fresh fish. Previously, they transported ice bars from Yurimaguas, but these did not arrive in one piece due to the high temperatures.
On Tuesday morning, the San Fernando community and the Profonanpe team working in the community warmly welcomed the Korean delegation, who saw for the first time the ice plant that they contributed to finance as part of the cooperation between KOICA, Green Climate Fund and Profonanpe, within the framework of the Datem Wetlands Project.
The community was always present and after a speech by Guillermo Yumbato, Vice President of ORKAHUIT, in which he highlighted the importance of these plants for the conservation of fresh fish and the sustainable development of the community, the directors of KOICA and Profonanpe also addressed the attendees to share the impact of the work carried out by their teams, hand in hand with the fishermen of the area. The plaque unveiling was accompanied by the children, who performed a joyful traditional dance led by their teacher Ida Yumbato.
In the community of Musa Karusha, the reception was equally warm, with the notable participation of Balbina Sundi Akumbari, leader of the Charapi Women’s Association, who together with Gunter Yandari, President of the Katinbaschi Artisanal Fishermen’s Association, and Daniel Simon, President of the Autonomous Government of the Kandoshi Nation, led and actively participated in the unveiling of the plaque.
To reduce the effects of greenhouse gases, ice is produced using solar energy captured by these panels. The water used for the ice goes through a potabilization process, in which it is purified with a carbon filter and made fit for human consumption. With half a ton of ice produced every eight hours, families are able to preserve up to half a ton of fish. The fish is stored in suitable isothermal boxes that are then transported on the boats.
In San Fernando, 86 fishermen are beneficiaries, while in Musa Karusha the figure reaches 120. The installation of the ice plant, which responds to the objective of producing quality refrigerated fish, allows the beneficiary families to have access to a more competitive market, while ensuring the sustainability of the area’s hydrobiological resources.
Coordinated international cooperation and articulated work is expected to continue in the coming months to have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiary indigenous communities and on the sustainable use of the wetland ecosystems of the Datem del Marañón.
About the Datem Wetlands Project
The Datem Wetlands Project seeks to improve the resilience capacities of indigenous communities living in wetland ecosystems rich in carbon stocks in the Datem del Marañón province, Loreto, as well as to improve their livelihoods and reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation.
Afterwards, the Directors of KOICA and Profonanpe also shared with the community and discussed the relevance of the ice plants and the efforts made to benefit the families in the area.
