Ruaa Centre Conducts Comprehensive Beach Cleanup in Khor Omeira with Participation of Local Residents and Divers

Khor Omeira – Centre Media
Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultation, and Training carried out a comprehensive beach cleanup campaign on Saturday morning at the Khor Omeira coast in Lahj Governorate. The activity comes within the framework of the advocacy and community mobilization project “Save the Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Aden,” funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Small Grants Programme (SGP).

The campaign saw the participation of the Turtle and Wildlife Protection Association in Khor Omeira, the Aden Divers Association, as well as a number of children, residents, and local fishermen, who made great efforts to remove waste and debris scattered along the shoreline. The Aden divers also contributed by cleaning the seabed of the bay from plastic waste and other debris that obstruct the turtles’ access to their nesting areas.

Dr. Jaklin Mansoor Al-Battani, head of Ruaa Centre, stated that this campaign is part of the Centre’s ongoing efforts to raise community awareness about the importance of preserving the marine environment. She noted that Khor Omeira is one of the most important ecological sites in the Gulf of Aden and a natural habitat for endangered sea turtles.

Dr. Al-Battani emphasized that the participation of the local community and fishermen represents a positive model of cooperation between the Centre and local communities in protecting coastal ecosystems. She called for the continuation of such voluntary initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of marine life.

The campaign received wide engagement from local residents, who expressed their readiness to take part in future activities aimed at protecting Khor Omeira and preserving its unique natural features.