Hassane Kamaria is head of coastal biodiversity research at the National Institute of Research for Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment (INRAPE), which is housed in the Ministry of the Environment. In this role, Hassane oversees inventory, data processing, and the protection of natural species. She also serves as a member of Bada Bitsi, an NGO which protects the environment, promotes recycling, trash management, national parks protection, and training to communities on environmental protection.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Protection of the Moroni Mangrove Against Household Waste

The project protects mangroves in Moroni that are impacted by household waste. It will include training activities, awareness-raising in the local community and cleaning of the mangrove. The goal is to reinforce the mangrove’s capacity to fulfil its ecological functions, such as carbon sequestration, serving as a barrier against strong waves, and as a nursery for birds, sea cucumbers, and turtles.

Hassane has successfully conducted her first activity strengthening the capacities of 25 civil society organizations to better reduce threats and pressures on mangroves, restore them, and regularly monitor the ecosystem. The project will continue with awareness raising events in schools and a mangrove cleanup day. Hassane shared that “The results far exceeded expectations. Not only did the participants gain skills in mangrove management and waste recovery...an innovative idea also emerged from the discussions, namely the organization of a national competition rewarding the best protected mangrove ecosystems. This initiative will boost environmental awareness and encourage local communities to adopt best conservation practices.”

“Mangroves are our natural barrier against disaster from the sea, but they need us to be more resilient.” - Hassane Kamaria 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Hassane participated in the IVLP Project: Combating Wildlife Trafficking, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with WorldOregon, World Trade Center Institute, International Focus Inc. and the U.S. Department of State Office of International Visitors program branch in New York City.

Hassane’s exchange experience led to the development of her project: “During our IVLP program, we saw how the United States and its NGOs work with terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems to achieve conservation of wild species. [The North Carolina Coastal Federation has] restored the coastline and advocated and educated the public about clean coastal waters and a healthy coastline. Their strategies focus on nature, stormwater, living shorelines, oyster restoration, habitat management and marine litter abatement. Their experience in coastal restoration and marine waste management has inspired me a lot, and I'd like to put this knowledge into practice in training and awareness-raising.” 

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Raleigh, NC; New York City, NY; Portland, OR 

Country: Comoros

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