Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund Commits $200,000 to Kenan Institute Asia Project

Former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and William Clinton awarded $200,000 to a fishing boat repair center and pier project in southern Thailand, proposed by UNC’s Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and its sister organization in Thailand, Kenan Institute Asia (KIAsia).

The Presidents’ contribution will support the construction of a full service repair facility for local fishing vessels, as well as an access road, pier and market. The projects aim to improve the safety and livelihood of hundreds of local fishermen in the Thai Mueang district of Phang-nga province in Thailand.

“Presidents Bush and Clinton are very excited at the prospect of helping with this project,” said Jean Becker, Chief of Staff to President Bush. “Especially since they visited this area during their tsunami tour about a year ago.”

“Fishermen in the Thai Mueang district have been repairing their boats and netting on the open beach,” said Paul Wedel, executive director of KIAsia. “The construction of a pier, covered repair center and community market will provide long-lasting benefits for the 100-plus fishermen and their families in the area.”

The facility will also be a potential site for training on fishing issues, such as fish raising, sustainable catch limits and microbusiness practices. It is expected the project will serve as a template for other fishery associations along the Andaman Sea.

“This project fits well with the Institute’s broader goal of long term sustainable economic recovery within the region,” said Jack Kasarda, director of the Kenan Institute. “We are honored the presidents selected this project for funding.”

The Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief funding will complement private tsunami relief contributions already donated by the Kenan Charitable Trust. The fishing boat repair project is part of the ongoing Tsunami Recovery Action Initiative (TRAI), a joint program of the Kenan Institute and KIAsia. TRAI aims to utilize education and entrepreneurship training to move the targeted community and its residents well beyond relief to sustainable development.